A Liverpudlian drug courier who was caught with cash and drugs totalling more than £88,000 is facing a prison term.
Joseph Chandler had £61,000 of heroin and almost £27,000 in cash hidden within supermarket bags when police searched a car in the Bridge of Don.
The drugs haul was discovered after police observed the 32-year-old carrying out a drug deal on Balgownie Drive on March 6 2020, Aberdeen Sheriff Court was told.
Fiscal depute Carol Gammie said at around 12.20pm police witnessed Chandler’s black BMW being closely followed by a white Fiat Punto.
Both cars were searched for drugs
“Both vehicles halted and the accused was seen to exit the driver’s door of the BMW carrying a blue ‘bag for life’,” she said.
“He entered the front passenger seat of the Fiat Punto. Given recent intelligence, police suspected this was a drug transaction.
“Police officers approached the Fiat Punto and identified themselves.”
After Chandler and the other driver were cautioned and detained a search of the cars was carried out.
Inside the blue bag was three packages of money wrapped in brown tape.
“This was counted and found to be a total of £26,995,” Ms Gammie said.
“The accused’s fingerprints were found on the outer surface of two packages.
“An Iceland bag was found within the airbag compartment of the dashboard.
“The bag contained six packages with in excess of 1,340g of Diamorphine with a potential street value of £61,120.”
Cash and drugs totalled £88,000
Both men were arrested and taken to Kittybrewster Police Station.
Chandler claimed his involvement was “acting as a courier in transporting
the cash that was recovered” and the Crown accepted that.
He appeared from custody at HMP Grampian in Peterhead and admitted being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.
Defence agent Michael Horsman said his client had previously been sentenced to suspended periods of prison before but had never actually served a custodial sentence.
For that reason, he asked for background reports to be carried out.
Sheriff Ian Wallace remanded Chandler, a prisoner of HMP Grampian but normally of Whittlewood Court, Liverpool, until his sentencing next month.
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