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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Custody for record crack dealer | Custody for record crack dealer |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| A teenager caught with Scotland's largest single haul of crack cocaine in Aberdeen has been detained for three years. | A teenager caught with Scotland's largest single haul of crack cocaine in Aberdeen has been detained for three years. |
| Michael Singh, 18, admitted involvement with crack cocaine worth more than £100,000, and heroin worth £63,000. | Michael Singh, 18, admitted involvement with crack cocaine worth more than £100,000, and heroin worth £63,000. |
| Singh, from Wolverhampton, had been offered the chance of £400 a week while he was getting £10 a week pocket money. | Singh, from Wolverhampton, had been offered the chance of £400 a week while he was getting £10 a week pocket money. |
| He was told at the High Court in Edinburgh that going to trial would have earned a longer sentence. | He was told at the High Court in Edinburgh that going to trial would have earned a longer sentence. |
| Police had been told that Singh would ferry drugs from a flat to other parts of Aberdeen by taxi. | Police had been told that Singh would ferry drugs from a flat to other parts of Aberdeen by taxi. |
| He was caught in April this year after a police surveillance operation and admitted being concerned in the supply of drugs. | He was caught in April this year after a police surveillance operation and admitted being concerned in the supply of drugs. |
| He does now appear to have a greater insight into the misery that these sort of drugs can cause Frances ConnorDefence counsel | He does now appear to have a greater insight into the misery that these sort of drugs can cause Frances ConnorDefence counsel |
| Defence counsel Frances Connor said Singh was recruited to the operation by a woman. | Defence counsel Frances Connor said Singh was recruited to the operation by a woman. |
| She said he was "a little immature and naive even for his age" and had been excited at the prospect of earning money. | She said he was "a little immature and naive even for his age" and had been excited at the prospect of earning money. |
| "He had no previous involvement with drugs or organised crime and as such was unlikely to attract attention from the police or authorities," she said. | "He had no previous involvement with drugs or organised crime and as such was unlikely to attract attention from the police or authorities," she said. |
| 'Vulnerable people' | 'Vulnerable people' |
| Singh was given money for his train fare to Aberdeen, a sandwich and the address of the flat in the city he was to go to. | Singh was given money for his train fare to Aberdeen, a sandwich and the address of the flat in the city he was to go to. |
| "He does now appear to have a greater insight into the misery that these sort of drugs can cause," said Ms Connor. | "He does now appear to have a greater insight into the misery that these sort of drugs can cause," said Ms Connor. |
| "In his time in Aberdeen prison he has been exposed to drug addicts and also inmates who have lectured him about what drugs can do and the misery they cause." | "In his time in Aberdeen prison he has been exposed to drug addicts and also inmates who have lectured him about what drugs can do and the misery they cause." |
| Lord Brodie told Singh that if he was older and had been convicted of the offences after trial he would have faced a sentence in excess of five years. | Lord Brodie told Singh that if he was older and had been convicted of the offences after trial he would have faced a sentence in excess of five years. |
| 'Untold misery' | |
| The judge said: "The pattern is that the people who no doubt make the money out of this activity use young people, vulnerable people, as the essential elements in the supply operation." | The judge said: "The pattern is that the people who no doubt make the money out of this activity use young people, vulnerable people, as the essential elements in the supply operation." |
| Lord Brodie said he would reduce the sentence of detention in a young offenders' institution to be imposed on Singh because of his guilty plea. | Lord Brodie said he would reduce the sentence of detention in a young offenders' institution to be imposed on Singh because of his guilty plea. |
| Grampian Police Detective Inspector Phil Chapman said: "This remains the single largest seizure of crack cocaine within Scotland. | |
| "Removing Singh from circulation disrupted the supply of crack cocaine and heroin in Aberdeen and sent a clear message to suppliers and dealers that Grampian Police will not tolerate their presence. | |
| "Drugs misuse destroys lives, causing untold misery to numerous families." |