Drugs smuggler who hid £1m worth of cocaine in van is jailed after Scots motorway raid
A drugs courier has been caged after attempting to smuggle £1million worth of cocaine[1] into Scotland.
Kurtis Taylor was snared with around 10kg of the class A drug in his black Vauxhall Vivaro [2]van on the M74 near Lesmahagow, in Lanarkshire, on September 5, 2023.
The 30-year-old, from Liverpool, was busted after officers from Police Scotland received intelligence that a vehicle was travelling from England with a significant quantity of drugs on board.
Taylor's van was taken to Coatbridge Police Office[3] and searched with the assistance of a drug detection dog.
The smuggler's operation was unveiled after officers discovered a hidden hydraulic compartment underneath the back seat of the vehicle – which was opened and closed using a modified key fob.
Ten block-shaped packages, with a Twitter [4]logo on them, were discovered inside and were later found to be cocaine. The drugs held an approximate street value of between £801,840 and £1,002,300 if cut up for sale.
DNA belonging to Kurtis and another individual, who has not been identified, were discovered on the packaging. Taylor was jailed on Tuesday, July 23, for six years after previously admitting to being involved in the supply of the Class A drug at the High Court in Glasgow. [5]
The hidden compartment in the van that was driven by Kurtis Taylor -Credit:Crown Office
Moira Orr, who leads on homicide and major crime for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service[6], said: “This was a sophisticated effort to bring significant quantities of illegal and harmful drugs across the border from England. Kurtis Taylor will now serve a significant prison sentence thanks to the intelligence-led police operation and work by prosecutors.
“We are determined to disrupt serious and organised crime. We are targeting all people who threaten communities across Scotland, from drug couriers to those who direct their movements.
“With each case of this kind, we can help reduce the harm these drugs inflict on those communities.”
The keyfob used to control the hidden compartment in the van -Credit:Crown Office
Detective Superintendent Steven Elliot, of Police Scotland’s Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism Unit, said: “This seizure has undoubtedly caused significant disruption to the local supply chain of illegal substances, underlining our commitment to the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce and the country’s Serious Organised Crime Strategy.
“Police Scotland will not allow criminals and organised crime groups to profit from other people’s misery. We know that individuals and communities are deeply affected by the drugs trade.
“Information from the public is vital as part of our work to bring those responsible for making and supplying illegal substances to justice. Anyone who has information or concerns about the sale and supply of drugs is urged to contact Police Scotland via 101. Alternatively, if you’d prefer to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
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References
- ^ cocaine (www.dailyrecord.co.uk)
- ^ Vauxhall Vivaro (www.dailyrecord.co.uk)
- ^ Coatbridge Police Office (www.dailyrecord.co.uk)
- ^ Twitter (www.dailyrecord.co.uk)
- ^ High Court in Glasgow. (www.dailyrecord.co.uk)
- ^ Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (www.dailyrecord.co.uk)
- ^ here. (data.reachplc.com)