Former bodybuilder involved in organised crime jailed

John Barry McDuff was jailed for seven years

A former Mr Scotland bodybuilder who boasted about having enough cash for "100 flats" has been jailed for seven years.

John Barry McDuff, 40, used an encrypted platform to discuss the supply of cocaine, heroin and steroids.

The 40-year-old was previously crowned Mr Scotland in 2012 after winning the 90kg category at the National Amateur Bodybuilding Championships.

He pled guilty to a charge of being involved in serious organised crime.

McDuff was previously jailed for three years in 2015 for drugs charges.

During sentencing, Judge Lord Arthurson said: "You have taken considerable steps while on remand to rehabilitate yourself and give insight on the damage of these drugs on people and communities.

"However, it is plain that a custodial sentence is appropriate.

"You were directly involved in the furtherance of serious organised crime and operations featuring substantial class A drugs over several months."

Sports nutrition store

The High Court in Glasgow previously heard how McDuff was caught after police gained access to an encrypted chat platform used by criminals.

MacDuff used handles such as "BIggie-Gla" on EncroChat. He initially had chats with an associate using the nickname "glasgowceltic" discussing consignments of cocaine and heroin.

Prosecutor Adrian Stalker said: "The totality of the conversations confirm that McDuff - acting with others - was involved in serious organised crime."

There was a further discussion with another criminal about McDuff expecting a delivery of 60kg of cannabis.

McDuff - worked at a sports nutrition store in Glasgow's west end and used the shop as a collection point for drug dealing.

In relation to the collection of the drug at the shop, McDuff said: "Yes, mate, open Sat 12-2".

McDuff was later back in touch with "glasgowceltic". This individual said he could supply him with 6kg of cocaine and 10kg of heroin.

Mr Stalker: "They then negotiated over the price, agreeing £45,000 per kilo for cocaine and £18,000 each for heroin."

One million tablets

In early April, McDuff had encrypted chats with an individual known as "burritocastle".

This person stated to McDuff: "We are different from the rest. We will make it bro.

"We have the biggest network combined in Glasgow 100%."

McDuff: "Defo brother we will do just fine."

The pair also spoke about having enough cash to be "sitting with 100 flats".

The duo later discussed trafficking cannabis.

Mr Stalker revealed there were further chats with "glasgowceltic" about large hauls of cocaine.

McDuff also discussed the supply of one million diazepam tablets valued at £600,000.

Frances Connor, defending, told the hearing: "While he thought it was benign steroid supply to others who were interested, he was asked to supply other drugs, particularly cocaine.

"Due to the people he was supplying to - other bodybuilders who appeared healthy - he said he didn't really give it much thought.

"He was asked to do something and put under pressure to do more and he said he did that.

"He is no longer interested in bodybuilding or steroids and is working in prison to persuade other young prisoners not to take drugs or get involved in steroids which he no longer thinks is benign."