Two men plead guilty on third day of drugs smuggling trial

The trial is being held at the High Court in Glasgow

Two men in a major drugs smuggling trial have pled guilty after two days of evidence at the High Court in Glasgow.

Gerard Carbin, 45, and Ryan McPhee, 34, admitted being involved in serious organised crime and the production and supply of a class C drug, etizolam.

Four other men remain in the dock, three of them accused of being involved in drugs smuggling.

The trial earlier heard how a tonne of cocaine was found hidden in a cargo of bananas at Dover in September 2020, addressed to a business in Glasgow.

Donald Findlay KC, defending Carbin, said: "I am instructed to tender a plea.

"I came into this case at the 11th hour and it is only with the assistance of the Crown in answering the many questions and requests for information that I was able to be in the position I am this morning."

McPhee's KC Iain McSporran stated that he instructed a plea in "similar terms."

Prosecutor Alex Prentice KC told the court he was accepting the pleas offered.

The trial has heard how drugs were discovered in a banana box shipment at Dover

Carbin and McPhee entered pleas of not guilty to three other charges, which were accepted by the prosecution.

Lord Ericht remanded the pair in custody until a later date.

The trial will continue on Thursday where James Stevenson, 59, is accused of directing a drug trafficking operation that spanned the UK, Spain, Ecuador and Abu Dhabi.

It is alleged that cocaine was “concealed in deliveries of fruit” and sent to “Glasgow Fruit Market” at an address in city’s Townhead.

Jurors earlier heard it took officers three days to recover cocaine hidden in banana boxes that were sent from Ecuador.

Stevenson is joined in the dock by fruit merchant David Bisland, 67, Garry McIntyre, 43, and 53-year-old Paul Bowes.

Jurors heard that Stevenson lodged a special defence of incrimination towards others including convicted drug dealer John Gurie who was jailed for six years.