A man who doesn’t “recognise laws” has been jailed for bringing £35,000 of a “dangerous and highly addictive” drug into Aberdeen by train.
Ivan Laverton, who changed his name to Ace McGrath, was caught after being seen acting suspiciously around police and a sniffer dog at Aberdeen railway station.
But when being arrested, McGrath, 28, warned the police that he doesn’t “recognise” the law in Scotland, adding: “I do not stand under your authority.”
Fiscal depute Lynne MacVicar told Aberdeen Sheriff Court police and the canine were monitoring arrivals at Aberdeen Railway Station on April 18 2019.
Just after 5pm, McGrath got off a train and made his way towards the barriers, where he caught the attention of police due to his “agitated manner”.
Ms MacVicar said: “He was seen to focus on the police dog, move his rucksack higher up his back over his shoulders and purposefully held himself back in the queue.
“As another person travelling with their dog exited the barrier past the police dog, the accused took evasive action in an attempt to avoid passing the police dog himself.
“Due to the accused’s behaviour, he was approached by police officers, who identified themselves.”
‘He stupidly accepted that offer’
McGrath was cautioned and detained for a search, at which point officers found 536.2g of heroin, with the potential to be worth up to £35,720 in his rucksack.
He was arrested and, while en route to Kittybrewster station, spoke about “not recognising laws and the law of Scotland”.
He also said: “I’ve been set up, I know who grassed on me, the spotter is getting it.”
Later, in interview, he claimed he was unaware of the drugs in the bag and said someone must have put them there without his knowledge.
Upon being cautioned and charged, he replied: “I do not stand under your authority.”
McGrath, who suffered horrifying burns as a three-year-old after an accident involving a disposable lighter, appeared in court in a wheelchair and pled guilty to being concerned in the supply of heroin.
Defence agent Iain McGregor said his client, whose address was given as Dalkeith, had one “relatively minor” previous conviction.
He explained McGrath had gone down to Preston for a family funeral and met relatives he “didn’t know existed”.
‘Dangerous and highly addictive drug’
Mr McGregor said: “He’s approached and an offer is put to him. He stupidly accepted that offer.
“He was paid the sum of £200. He was unaware of what he was actually transporting but he was aware those receiving the package were involved in the drugs trade.”
The solicitor said McGrath suffers from various medical issues, and also has “some degree of cognitive difficulties”.
Mr McGregor added: “He has been undoubtedly used by these individuals.
“He was to receive the paltry sum of £200 for the transportation of the package.”
Sheriff Graham Buchanan told McGrath: “It appears clear that, at the very least, you were aware that there was some sort of activity going on here which involved controlled drugs.
“I’m prepared to accept that you did not necessarily know what you were carrying was such a large quantity of diamorphine, but I can’t overlook the fact this was a very substantial quantity of a dangerous and highly addictive drug that you were bringing into this part of the country.”
He ordered McGrath to be jailed for 21 months.
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