An Aberdeen man has been handed unpaid work after being caught importing hundreds of MDMA tablets – including one featuring Donald Trump’s face.
Ross Grogan, 22, came to the attention of the police when customs officials intercepted two packages addressed to him containing tablets.
The tablets, one of which featured the face of the controversial soon-to-be ex-president, tested positive for MDMA and were valued at up to £3,350.
Grogan admitted buying drugs online during his police interview, and had begun selling to his peers to fund his own increasing habit.
Fiscal depute Christy Ward told Aberdeen Sheriff Court: “On March 25 2019, a customs official at the International Logistics Centre in Langley, Berkshire, identified a parcel addressed to the accused at Skene Square in Aberdeen that was suspected to contain controlled drugs.
“The parcel had been sent from the Netherlands.
“The packet was opened and found to contain a silver heat-sealed packet containing 104 green tablets which were triangular with the image of an S imprinted on them.
“On April 27 2019 a customs official identified a further parcel suspected of containing controlled drugs addressed to the accused at Skene Square. No exporter details were shown on the packaging.
“The packet was opened and found to contain a clear plastic bag containing 231 blue ‘MM’ tablets.”
A search warrant was executed at Grogan’s address in May 28 2019 and a systematic search uncovered items including scales, a knife, and self-seal bags with traces of MDMA on them, cash and jiffy bags.
A bag containing 3.68g of MDMA worth up to a maximum of £180 was also discovered.
Ms Ward said: “The 104 tablets and 231 tablets were forensically analysed and found to be MDMA.
“One tablet had the impression of Donald Trump’s face on it.
“Individually the tablets have a value of £5 to £10 each, and a maximum potential value of £1,675 – £3,350.”
During the police interview, Grogan admitted buying drugs online.
Grogan, whose address was given in court papers as Skene Square in Aberdeen, pled guilty to being knowingly concerned in the fraudulent evasion of the prohibition on the importation of controlled drugs, and to being concerned in the supply of MDMA.
Defence agent Andrew Ormiston said: “These proceedings themselves have formed a deterrent to Mr Grogan every offending in this way again.
“Mr Grogan was introduced to drug use by associates.
“He has struggled with mental health difficulties, namely depression, and was using this particular drug as a coping mechanism.
“Some might consider that surprising, but that’s what he was doing.
“He then increased his usage over time to the point where his funds could not cover his usage. He describes to me he was using it on a daily basis.
“He found himself in a position where he could not afford to maintain his usage and he then became involved in supplying the substance to his peers.
“He is extremely remorseful for becoming involved in this.”
Sheriff Wiliiam Summers ordered Grogan to be supervised for 18 months and to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work.
He also imposed a six-month curfew.
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