LEADERS of a major Glasgow drugs gang are today behind bars after being caught with almost 850,000 'fake Valium' tablets.

Police say raids at addresses in Pollok, Nitshill, Barrhead and Paisley uncovered 836,000 of the tablets - real name Etizolam - with a street value of around £420,000.

That makes each pill with around 50p.

Following the intelligence-led raids which began last January, 33-year-old John Mack and Gary Jamieson, 34, were arrested. 

Those took place in September and December 2019 respectively.

READ MORE: Man caught with £400,000 worth of coke after police-tip off 

Today, the pair pleaded guilty to drugs and serious and organised crime offences at the High Court in Glasgow.

Sentencing has been deferred until May 13.

Detective Inspector Craig McPhail, of Glasgow Serious & Organised Crime Pro-Active, said: “We would like to send a clear message to anyone who is involved in the supply of drugs onto the streets of Scotland that you cannot expect to profit from other people’s misery and get away with it. No one is untouchable.

“Tackling serious and organised crime remains one of our key priorities. Drug supply causes so much misery in our communities, so we will continue to target organised crime groups at all levels and protect those communities affected and make our streets hostile places for such criminality."

He added: “We rely on information from the public.

"They have a vital role to play in helping us remove drugs and drug dealers from our streets. Much of our positive action depends on local people passing on information, so keep doing this and we will continue to disrupt these criminals.

"You can pass on information by phoning 101, or anonymously via Crimestoppers, where anonymity can be maintained.”

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