Prison for cannabis dealer

Ryan Forrester, 39, was caught when police swooped on a caravan on wasteland near California, Falkirk, occupied by a 29-year-old former co-accused, Kyle O’Connor.

Stirling Sheriff Court was today told that officers attended at the spot at 4pm on October 30th, 2015 armed with a warrant.

Prosecutor Sarah Lumsden described the location as “essentially a piece of land with a caravan thereon”.

Miss Lumsden said: “On arrival the police noticed a van parked outside the caravan, and standing at the entrance to the caravan they saw Ryan Forrester and Kyle O’Connor.

“The officers approached these individuals, advised them of the warrant, and detained them.

“From Mr Forrester they obtained the keys to the van and on searching it they came across a Morrisons Free For Life bag in the front passenger footwell.

“On opening the bag, police found a number of blocks of brown resin which tested positive later for cannabis.”

The depute fiscal said the Class B controlled drugs were valued at £12,000.

She added: “The caravan was Kyle O’Connor’s and the officers were there with a search warrant for the caravan.”

Forrester, of Caldercruix in nearby North Lanarkshire, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cannabis resin.

Gordon Jackson, QC, defending, said Forrester had been acting as “a delivery man” for others, who were not named.

He said Forrester was involved in a business that had “fluctuated”.

Jailing Forrester for eight months, Sheriff William Gilchrist told him the charge was “a serious matter” and he had got involved against a background of financial difficulties in his business.

He said: “The value of the drugs was very substantial. You’re not a callow youth. There was no reason for your involvement other than financial gain and you entered into this arrangement openly and knowingly.”

According to Companies House and online business records, Forrester, described as “a consultant”, was formerly a director of two Glasgow-based companies, The Sun Tan Centre Ltd., and Newcum Property Limited.

O’Connor’s plea of not guilty was accepted by the Crown.