Grangemouth man caught with £270,000 cocaine and heroin haul

Craig Bell (36) was detained by officers who also found nearly four kilos of adulterants used to cut drugs at a sports pavilion in Zetland Park, Grangemouth.

A judge at the High Court in Edinburgh was told the self-employed roofer was about to sign a lease for the building owned by Falkirk Council.

Bell, Moriston Court, Grangemouth, admitted being concerned in the supply of both cocaine and heroin on May 31 last year, when he appeared in court today.

Advocate depute Jane Farquharson QC said police obtained search warrants for the park premises and Bell’s car after receiving intelligence he may be involved in drug supply.

The prosecutor said when he was detained on May 31 at the pavilion he was found in possession of £380 along with two password-protected mobile phones and ten wraps of cocaine which was up to 75 per cent pure. He also had a key which allowed them access to the premises.

Miss Farquharson said: “Police seized a variety of items that showed the accused’s concern in the supply of cocaine and heroin. This included bags of powder, scales, knives and bags with traces of the controlled drugs along with large quantities of known adulterants.”

Bell’s “DNA and/or fingerprints” were found on padlocked boxes containing the drugs. Officers also found a further three bags of cocaine in Bell’s car.

A total of 746 grams of cocaine was found, with purities ranging from 54 to 88 per cent. Its value was estimated at £74,600.

Almost 130 grams of heroin was recovered with an average purity of 51 per cent, valued at more than £196,000.

Judge Lord Fairley deferred sentence until next month for a report. Bail was continued.