AN EX-SOLDIER who survived a high-profile helicopter crash has been jailed for six years after police seized a £1m heroin haul.

Gary Cowan, 32, was caught driving back to Scotland on the M74 near Lesmahagow, Lanarkshire in June 2020.

He was in a van belonging to garage boss John Craig, 31, who was jailed for eight years after he helped organise the drug trafficking.

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Both were today sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow.

They had been convicted in April of being concerned in the supply of heroin. Both had effectively blamed each other.

Cowan's lawyer told the court the ex-Royal Regiment of Scotland soldier continues to suffer the "trauma" of an Army helicopter accident in Catterick Garrison, Yorkshire in 2007 in which a close friend was killed.

Cowan, of Paisley, Renfrewshire, turned to crime during the first pandemic lockdown in June 2020.

Jurors heard how the eight kilogramme drug haul - some of which was of high purity - could fetch potentially in "excess" of £1m.

Cowan claimed he had been asked to drive to Liverpool to collect car parts by Porsche-driving Craig, who runs a garage in Airdrie, Lanarkshire.

He said he met a man in Merseyside and left him for 10 or 15 minutes with the van.

As he later returned north, up to 10 officers and three police cars swooped on Cowan on the M74.

The dad-of-five was then arrested after the drugs haul was found hidden in the van.

His lawyer Billy Lavelle asked him: "What was your thoughts sitting in the cell?"

Cowan: "I sat there most of the day thinking: 'What was happening?'. I was in shock."

Craig, of Toryglen, Glasgow, also gave evidence and insisted Cowan - who he knew from a car enthusiasts club - had asked for a loan of his works van.

He claimed to only be aware of any issue when Cowan had not returned with the vehicle and his phone was then tracked to Motherwell police station in Lanarkshire.

His advocate George Gebbie put him: "Did you know about any drugs?"

Craig: "No."

The court heard the heroin was found stashed in a padlocked compartment of the van.

But, Craig said he had bought the vehicle from a joiner, who had built the hide to stop his tools being stolen.

However, it emerged detectives had been keeping tabs on Craig.

The court heard how Cowan had joined the army at 17 before the helicopter tragedy ended his military career and left him needing multiple operations as well as counselling.

His solicitor-advocate Mr Lavelle said: "He was involved in a fatal accident.

"It was a pretty traumatic event and continues to affect him. His partner is understandably concerned about him."

The hearing was told both he and Craig maintain their innocence.

Sentencing, Lord Armstrong said he was imposing different jail terms as Craig was involved in the "planning and logistics of the supply operation".

Craig was also hit with a three-year Serious Crime Prevention Order - often described as a 'super-Asbo' - which will help monitor him when he is freed.