This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/north_east/7660892.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Men admit major drug supply roles | Men admit major drug supply roles |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Four men have pleaded guilty after being caught in one of the biggest drugs operations ever mounted by police in Moray. | |
| William Kelbie, 39, Owen Gorman, 41, Donald Stewart, 36, and Stephen Johnston, 36, admitted supply charges at the High Court in Glasgow. | William Kelbie, 39, Owen Gorman, 41, Donald Stewart, 36, and Stephen Johnston, 36, admitted supply charges at the High Court in Glasgow. |
| The offences took place in Elgin, including the Chanonry caravan site, where about 100 officer swooped. | The offences took place in Elgin, including the Chanonry caravan site, where about 100 officer swooped. |
| The case was deferred until Friday when the facts will be heard. | The case was deferred until Friday when the facts will be heard. |
| Kelbie admitted being involved in the supply of cocaine and amphetamine between 2006 and this year. | Kelbie admitted being involved in the supply of cocaine and amphetamine between 2006 and this year. |
| These people formed part of an organised crime group which ruined many lives across Moray Supt Alan Smailes Grampian Police | |
| Gorman admitted being concerned in the supply of amphetamine and cannabis resin from 2007 to this year. | Gorman admitted being concerned in the supply of amphetamine and cannabis resin from 2007 to this year. |
| Stewart admitted being concerned in the supply of ecstasy and cannabis resin between 2006 and 2008. | Stewart admitted being concerned in the supply of ecstasy and cannabis resin between 2006 and 2008. |
| And Johnston admitted being concerned in the supply of amphetamine this year. | And Johnston admitted being concerned in the supply of amphetamine this year. |
| Toni MacKenzie, 21, who denied being concerned in the supply of amphetamine and cocaine, and James Stewart, 33, who denied being involved in the supply of heroin, cannabis resin and ecstasy, walked free from court after their not guilty pleas were accepted. | Toni MacKenzie, 21, who denied being concerned in the supply of amphetamine and cocaine, and James Stewart, 33, who denied being involved in the supply of heroin, cannabis resin and ecstasy, walked free from court after their not guilty pleas were accepted. |
| Derick Nelson, prosecuting, told the court that the four accused all had previous convictions. | Derick Nelson, prosecuting, told the court that the four accused all had previous convictions. |
| 'Vast resources' | |
| Temporary judge John Morrice remanded all four in custody. | Temporary judge John Morrice remanded all four in custody. |
| Supt Alan Smailes of Grampian Police said: "These people formed part of an organised crime group which ruined many lives across Moray and we are pleased they tendered pleas today and witnesses were spared having to give evidence against them. | |
| "They were brought to court as a result of one of the biggest intelligence-led operations ever mounted by Grampian Police involving vast resources. | |
| "My officers in Moray received considerable support from across the force including all its specialist squads, without which we could never have concluded an operation of this scale. Overall the result has been a considerable improvement in the quality of life for the people of Moray." | |
| The former Chanonry travellers' camp was demolished on health and safety grounds after the police operation. | The former Chanonry travellers' camp was demolished on health and safety grounds after the police operation. |