Men jailed after £1million drugs and dirty money crime raid

We previously reported Steven Black, 48, Lee Johnston, 39, and Robert Turkiewicz, 47, were snared following a police operation in Airdrie on June 3 2020.

Tabs were kept on Black as he dropped off bags a number of properties which were later searched.

Black, of Airdrie, was also found with so much cash that it took police three days to count it.

Officers later seized an encrypted mobile phone where Black spoke about the possession and onward supply of drugs.

He further claimed - using the display name "Tightest A**e" that he made £2 million from his criminal conduct.

A total of £54,000 of cocaine and cannabis were found with the other men.

Black and Robertson - who has since died - pleaded guilty in October at the High Court in Glasgow to being concerned in the supply of cocaine and cannabis.

Steven Black (Image: Police Scotland)

Black also admitted possession of £929,970 of criminal property aggravated by a connection with serious organised crime.

Turkiewicz, of Edinburgh, and Johnston, of Airdrie, also admitted being concerned in the supply of cannabis.

Robert Turkiewicz (Image: Police Scotland)

Black was jailed for nine years while Turkiewicz and Johnston received separate 27 month sentences.

Lee Johnston (Image: Police Scotland)

Judge Douglas Brown stated: "In relation to the dealing in this scale and moving of class A drugs, a substantial sentence must be imposed not just as punishment but to discourage others who may want to be involved."

The court heard that the group were caught following intelligence given to Police Scotland Operation Aerobatic.

Prosecutor Paul Kearney KC said: "Black was placed under surveillance and was observed to carry out a number of collections and deliveries which were later confirmed to have been controlled drugs.

"Police officers carried out searches of various addresses which had featured in the surveillance that day or which were connected to people who had featured in observed activities.

"A large quantity of cocaine, cannabis and money were recovered.

"An examination of an encrypted phone from Black's home yielded information demonstrating his involvement in the supply of drugs and the acquisition of large sums of money during that period."

A large amount of cocaine was recovered from Black's home as well as a Breitling watch and an encrypted phone.

His sister's house was also raided and "bundles" of cash was found.

Mr Kearney added: "The money took police three days to count with the total amount being £929,970."

The encrypted phone was found to contain conversations where Black spoke about drugs and the passing of money in the tens of thousands.

Mr Kearney said: "This includes Black estimating his own net worth as a consequence of his activities at around £2 million."

Johnston's home - where Black had delivered a bag to earlier that day - was raided and found to have cannabis and £5,450 in cash as well as digital scales.

Robertson's home - used as a drop off by Black - was discovered with cannabis as well as cocaine and a bulking agent in a safe.

Turkiewicz showed up at the raid of another property where Black had dropped off a bag which contained five kilos of cannabis.

Turkiewicz - who appeared nervous and smelled of cannabis - claimed that he was there to buy a bike at £180.

His Vauxhall Corsa was searched and £95,835 of cash was recovered from within a carrier bag.

A Sports Direct bag found in the boot also smelled strongly of cannabis.

Turkiewicz told officers when quizzed that he intended to buy a bike but realised he was at the wrong address due to an error with his Sat Nav.

He claimed the money recovered were savings and the proceeds of a property sale in his native Poland.

Mr Kearney said a total from the raids on the day were £57,200 of cannabis and £7,250 of cocaine.

It was stated that Black has three non-analogous previous convictions and has never been in custody.

Robertson, of Airdrie, had six previous offences for violence, disorder and dishonesty while Johnston has a previous matter for possession of cannabis. Turkiewicz is a first offender.

Tony Lenehan KC, defending Robertson, told the sentencing: "There is one few in the dock, Mr Robertson has been confirmed dead.

"I am glad the Crown found official confirmation of that fact."

Lewis Kennedy, defending construction worker Black, told the court that his client was involved in the operation to pay back his late brother's "significant drug debt."

Andrew Crosbie, defending Turkiewicz, stated his client had not met his co-accuseds before and that his involvement was "extremely limited."

Iain McSporran KC, defending, Johnston told the court that his client is a new dad.

The advocate said: "He finds himself on the brink of custody and he is anxious to avoid that."