A FORMER Mr Scotland bodybuilder is back behind bars for his role in a lucrative drug trafficking operation.

John Barry McDuff was snared after the law authorities smashed the EncroChat phone network favoured by criminals.

Scores of hacked messages uncovered what the 40-year-old and his associates were up to.

One fellow dealer boasted to McDuff how they had "the biggest network in Glasgow".

McDuff - who latterly worked at a sports nutrition store in the city's West End - now faces a lengthy jail sentence after he admitted to a charge of being involved in serious organised crime.

He was previously crowned Mr Scotland in 2012 after winning the 90kg category at the National Amateur Bodybuilding Championships.

But, McDuff - once described as a "hero figure" - was jailed for three years in 2015 for drug charges.

He will be sentenced for this latest offence in late September.

The charge spanned between March and June 2020.

McDuff used handles such as "BIggie-Gla" on EncroChat.

Prosecutor Adrian Stalker told the High Court in Glasgow: "The totality of the conversations confirm that McDuff - acting with others - was involved in serious organised crime."

He initially had chats with an associate using the nickname "glasgowceltic" discussing consignments of cocaine and heroin.

The individual known as "glasgowceltic" sent a photo of two blocks of drugs with a blue crocodile sticker on each.

There was a further discussion with another criminal about McDuff expecting a delivery of 60kg of cannabis.

An associate then inquired about the steroid Oxandrolone.

In relation to the collection of the drug at the shop, McDuff stated: "Yes, mate, open Sat 12-2".

One fellow dealer was then chasing McDuff for around £100,000 apparently owed.

McDuff was later back in touch with "glasgowceltic". This individual said he could supply him with six kilogrammes of cocaine and 10 of heroin.

Mr Stalker: "They then negotiated over the price agreeing £45,000 per kilo for cocaine and £18,000 each for heroin."

In early April, McDuff had encrypted chats with an individual known as "burritocastle".

This person stated to McDuff: "We are different from the rest. We will make it bro.

"We have the biggest network combined in Glasgow 100%."

McDuff: "Defo brother we will do just fine."

The pair also spoke about having enough cash to be "sitting with 100 flats".

The duo later discussed the trafficking of cannabis.

Mr Stalker revealed there were further chats with "glasgowceltic" about large hauls of cocaine.

McDuff also discussed the supply of one million diazepam tablets valued at £600,000.

The court heard of more chats with "glasgowceltic" about McDuff owing £604,000.

Lord Arthurson deferred sentencing until late September in Edinburgh.

McDuff was remanded in custody.