A courier smuggled a huge haul of drugs into Scotland in a secret compartment.

Kurtis James Taylor from Liverpool was stopped while driving a black Vauxhall Vivaro van on the M74 motorway near Lesmahagow, Lanarkshire on September 5, 2023.

Police swooped on the motor after receiving intelligence that it was travelling from England with a 'significant quantity of drugs' on board.

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Following that, the vehicle was taken to Coatbridge Police Officer and searched with the assistance of a drug detection dog.

A hidden hydraulic compartment was then found underneath the van's back seat - which was opened and closed using a modified key fob.

(Image: Crown Office)

After that, cops discovered a total of 10 block-shaped packages - embossed with a Twitter logo.

The packages - which were recovered inside - were later found to be cocaine.

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) say the drugs - which weighed around 10kg - held an approximate street value of between £801,840 and £1,002,300 if cut up for sale. 

Kurtis James Taylor (Image: Police Scotland)

DNA belonging to the 30-year-old and another individual - who has not been identified - were discovered on the package.

Following the find, Taylor appeared at Glasgow High Court on Wednesday, May 15, where he admitted being involved in the supply of the Class A drug.

Today (Tuesday, July 23), at the same court, the drug courier was caged for six years.

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(Image: Crown Office)

After the sentencing, Moira Orr, who leads on homicide and major crime for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, said:  “This was a sophisticated effort to bring significant quantities of illegal and harmful drugs across the border from England.  

“Kurtis Taylor will now serve a significant prison sentence thanks to the intelligence-led police operation and work by prosecutors.  

“We are determined to disrupt serious and organised crime.  

“We are targeting all people who threaten communities across Scotland, from drug couriers to those who direct their movements. 

“With each case of this kind, we can help reduce the harm these drugs inflict on those communities.”