A member of a crime gang involved in large-scale drug trafficking and violence is behind bars.

Anthony Kelly was snared as part of the Operation Aversion police probe.

The 37-year-old delivery driver was linked to the purchase of more than £400,000 of cocaine and cannabis.

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He also gave "advice" to mob associates to avoid being caught for a raid on a man's house which saw his home and car "wrecked".

Kelly was later arrested himself and has now pleaded guilty to a charge of being involved in serious organised crime between August 2018 and June 2020.

He was remanded in custody at the High Court in Glasgow and will be sentenced next month.

Kelly's involvement in the gang was mainly uncovered via messages to other clan members on WhatsApp and the EncroChat phone network favoured by criminals before it was smashed by law authorities.

In 2018, Kelly - known as 'Ants' - discussed a news report about Police Scotland investigating 3282 individuals involved in organised crime.

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He stated to an associate: "Hope they give us a bit of credit and not put us at the bottom of the list."

Prosecutor Lindsey Dalziel said the WhatsApp chats made "ongoing references" to the trafficking of cocaine, cannabis as well as ecstasy.

In late 2018, Kelly became panicked when a gang member was caught by police with a class A drug haul.

He described it as "a f***ing mess".

Kelly's home in Wishaw, Lanarkshire was initially raided months later.

Miss Dalziel: "A number of items were recovered including a selection of expensive jewellery, electronic devices and also cash."

However, no charges were brought at that time.

Kelly remained part of the gang and continued to contact associates via EncroChat in 2020.

Miss Dalziel: "There were messages...indicating significant quantities of drugs and money changing hands."

The total amount of cocaine purchased by or on behalf of Kelly was more than £400,000 with cannabis valued at £14,700.

The court also heard of a raid at the home of a man in Wishaw in May 2020.

Masked gang members had yelled they were "armed police" before bursting in.

Miss Dalziel: "They gained entry through the front door, damaged property and threw petrol over the furniture.

"They damaged a motor vehicle outside using an axe."

The hearing was told Kelly did not take part in the attack itself.

But, the prosecutor explained: "He knew about it in advance and gave advice afterwards to those involved to avoid detection for their part in it."

One of the raiders told Kelly via EncroChat that they had "wrecked the entire house", left the car a "write off" and that the man who lived there was "terrified".

Kelly was arrested in October 2021, but initially made no comment.

Judge Andrew Miller deferred sentencing for reports until next month in Aberdeen.