Shieldhill teen caught with nearly £500 worth of MDMA

Ryan McCallum (18) was caught holding the MDMA – also known as Ecstasy – after police stopped the car he was in.

McCallum, 67 Mavisbank Avenue, Shieldhill, appeared at Falkirk Sheriff Court last Thursday having admitted possessing class A drug Ecstasy – or MDMA – and class B drug cannabis in Lochgreen Road, Falkirk on December 14, 2018.

Sean Maher, procurator fiscal depute, said: “It was 11.30pm and police officers were on mobile patrol when they noticed a blue car trying to turn around. They engaged with the occupants of the vehicle and noticed a strong smell of cannabis.

“Before they carried out a search the accused passed a quantity of herbal material to officers. There were also 12 small plastic bags contain a crystalline substance recovered.

“When asked what it was the accused replied ‘it’s mandy’ and and admitted it was his.”

Police recovered 12.12 grams of MDMA worth a street value of £484.

The court heard McCallum was now attending college and planning to pursue a course in entrepreneurship.

Defence solicitor Kevin Douglas said: “He was 16 at the time of the offence and there was pressure on him to get involved in this. I don’t think he is a young man who will get involved in this sort of thing again.”

Sheriff Christopher Shead said: “I know you very young at the time, but this is a class A drug.”

He placed McCallum on a community payback order with the condition he complete 120 hours unpaid work within 12 months.