Jamie Stevenson jailed over running global drug smuggling ring

Stevenson was hit with the biggest jail term - 20 years - as the six strong mob were sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow today.

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(Image: Bananas)

The law authorities had carried out a huge drugs bust in 2020 after £76m of high purity cocaine was found smuggled inside boxes of bananas in Dover.

A street Valium pill factory - which could churn out 250,000 tablets per hour - was also uncovered in Kent.

(Image: Street Valium)

Stevenson pleaded guilty mid-trial to directing others to commit a serious offence and being involved in serious organised crime.

Established fruit merchant David Bilsland meantime admitted being involved in cocaine smuggling.

Stevenson's stepson and trusted lieutenant Gerard Carbin pleaded guilty to a charge of being involved in serious organised crime involving etizolam between March and June 2020.

First offender Ryan McPhee as well as Paul Bowes - who has previous convictions for counterfeiting and road traffic matters - also pleaded guilty on identical terms.

Lloyd Cross - who was sentenced to five years for aggravated assault in 2013 - also pleaded guilty to being involved in serious organised crime.

A team of extra police officers were drafted in which provided a ring of steel in the courtroom while all six were sentenced.

(Image: Jamie Stevenson)

Jamie Stevenson 

Judge Lord Ericht told Stevenson, who was sentenced separately from his co-accuseds: "You directed a complex operation for the importation and supply of cocaine.

“The operation involved cash being provided by you to fund David Bisland's apparent legitimate business.

“You used his experience and contacts to provide an appearance of legitimacy.

“You removed Bilsland as a director of Glasgow Fruit Market and registered in his place a vulnerable man who allowed his signature and identification to be used while he knew nothing.

"You [also] played a leading role in a complex operation of manufacturing and distribution of etizolam tablets.

"This operation included a manufacturing facility in Rochdale which when raided police seized 13-and-a-half million tablets with a wholesale value of £400,000.

"I am satisfied the total period [of imprisonment] is fair and proportionate."

Bilsland - who was jailed for six years - was told by Lord Ericht that he was "used by Stevenson to provide an appearance of legitimacy to the cocaine operation."

Cross - also locked up for six years - was stated by the judge to have had a "significant role in the cocaine operation by relaying Stevenson's instructions to Bilsland."

Carbin - jailed for seven years - was told that he had a "significant involvement in the etizolam operation" by being involved in the arranging and onward supply of tablets before being moved to a manufacturing role.

Bowes - sentenced to six years - was stated by the judge to have played a "significant role in the etizolam operation" by taking delivery of a large quantity of tablets and carried out "quality control."

(Image: Ryan McPhee)

Ryan McPhee

McPhee - jailed for four years - was told that his role in the etizolam operation was an "important one" by taking delivery of the tablets and transporting them.

The court earlier heard that Stevenson's right-hand man in the cocaine operation was 32 year-old Cross.

Glasgow Fruit Market Limited owner David Bilsland, 67, was used to try and give the drug trafficking an air of legitimacy.

Stevenson used the nicknames 'elusiveale' and "bigtastey" on EncroChat.

(Image: Lloyd Cross)

Lloyd Cross

Cross had the username 'shaggygoat'. Bilsland was known as 'trendymutant'.

Mr Prentice said: "Messages show Stevenson discussing with Cross the importation of kilo blocks of cocaine, the use of Bilsland and his business experience and contacts to provide an appearance of legitimacy."

Bilsland mainly dealt with Cross on EncroChat, who passed on his boss Stevenson's "instructions".

Stevenson and Bilsland were then clocked by Spanish police meeting at a hotel in Alicante on St Valentine's Day 2020.

Mr Prentice said: "The operation, as it developed, involved cash being provided by Stevenson, Cross and others to fund Bilsland's apparently legitimate imports."

There were texts between Stevenson and Cross discussing the set-up.

To keep an arm's length, Bilsland was to be removed as "company director".

A person described as a "vulnerable individual" in England was instead duped to give his signature to be registered as a director.

Cross texted Bilsand: "How you getting on with the new director?"

He replied: "Hi mate. All good. No issues. Next stage this week is contact, which we are working on today."

Stevenson then told another associate that he had "bought the wee guys company" before sending a photo of the Glasgow Fruit Market website.

Mr Prentice said: "In a further discussion, Stevenson discussed the 'wages' he expected to receive from the importation arrangement."

Regarding the illegal riches to be raked in, a fellow criminal stated to Stevenson: "That's life changing work."

The court heard Stevenson and Cross had a number of clandestine meetings near the latter's home.

Cross went on to text an associate: "So its sending from Ecuador and its in bananas.

"The company its coming from are like blue chip fruit wise."

Cross used transport from his vehicle recovery firm to collect and deliver cash used to fund the operation.

Cross told Stevenson at one stage: "We can send on our trucks to meet your guy.

"If he leaves the doe in the van we will take it away for a pretend service then bring it back the next day if that is suitable?"

At one state, a Glasgow Fruit Market van was picked up by Cross's LM Recovery and dirty cash hidden inside. Bilsland was later spotted collecting a box from this vehicle.

The court heard Stevenson and Cross became wary of customs checks on the banana consignments.

Bilsland tried to ease fears stating to Cross: "I am on it. Keep you posted.

"Like I said, first one will always get looked at. So expect a delay."

He later said there were "lots of wee issues" adding: "But, that's what I am here for."

Bilsland said: "I am very happy with the plan so far. Let me know it that is okay with you."

Cross said: "All sounds absolutely perfect mate. You are doing some top work."

Bilsland said: "Thanks. You too. We are all a team. Will give you update on Tuesday. Have a good weekend."

Mr Prentice said: "The messages indicate that one of Bilsland's primary roles was to engage in communication with the shipping lines, port authorities and others involved in the logistics of legitimate importation."

Witnesses reported dealing with a "Gordon Stevens" from the Glasgow Fruit Market - the firm, however, had no one by that name.

(Image: Bananas)

(Image: Bananas)

(Image: Bananas)

(Image: Bananas)

The bust at Dover occurred in 2020.

Mr Prentice said: "There were 18 banana consignments received in Dover.

"The eighteenth - received on September 21 - was searched by UK Border Force officers and revealed packages of cocaine concealed within."

Officer uncovered a total of 119 foil packages each containing eight blocks of cocaine.

The drugs had a purity as high as 73%.

Mr Prentice said: "The total value of cocaine is assessed to be in the region of £38m on a 'wholesale' basis.

"If adulterated and subdivided into the smallest commonly sold quantity, the cocaine recovered would have the potential to realise in the region of £76m."

After the Dover bust, the home of Bilsland and other addresses connected to Glasgow Fruit Market were raided.

Bilsland told police: "I know what it is about."

He stated to a colleague that he had been "stupid" and was "going to jail for a long time".

Mr Prentice went on to detail how the "pill factory" in Rochester, Kent was also raided by the authorities.

Stevenson - via EncroChat - was shown offering "large quantities" of street Valium for sale.

He told one user: "Enough for over year supply".

Bowes used the name "hollowbutter".

Paul Bowes, 53, was a trusted member of the gang and told Stevenson how he had taken in delivery of 4.3m pills with a couple of tubs damaged in transit.

Mr Prentice said: "Stevenson arranged customers for the onward sale of the pills which Bowes had taken delivery of."

Stevenson also recruited stepson 45-year-old Gerard Carbin. He was known as "lucidfudge" on EncroChat.

He was involved, at one stage, in the sale of one million street Valium before Stevenson asked him to "do job London making pills" taking "6 weeks max".

Stevenson later sent a text how "200kg" of Etizolam was to be ferried by train to the UK.

There was also reference to a "pressing machine" used to help produce and make the pills.

Ryan McPhee, 34, was meantime used to deliver or "stash" drugs including transporting 2.5m tablets.

Carbin later told McPhee that "we have the full job going forward".

Mr Prentice: "McPhee asked how many pills that would entail. Carbin replied: '10 million per time'."

McPhee was then told there would be "wages" of £1,000 per one million tablets.

Stevenson and Carbin met at a flat in London in late April 2020.

Mr Prentice said: "Stevenson invited another EncroChat user to come to London to take part in the operation.

"Stevenson advised he thought there was '35 mil to be made' and suggested that would result in a wage of £105,000 for this individual."

(Image: Pills)

(Image: Pills)

(Image: Pills)

The Metropolitan Police and the National Crime Agency went on to raid the pill factory on June 12 2020.

The officers found machinery that could produce 258,000 pills per hour.

There were also pallets of boxes filled with tubs of pills.

Mr Prentice said: "In total, approximately 13,462,000 Etizolam tablets were recovered.

"Experienced officers familiar with the illicit drug market assess that tablets of that quantity would have a wholesale value of £403,860."

But, the potential value to the Stevenson and his gang would be much higher.

Stevenson was arrested on the same day in Glasgow.

A panicked Carbin sent messages via EncroChat to have all Stevenson's devices to be "wiped".

He was also worried that having recently spent time in London with Stevenson he would also be arrested.

Mr Prentice said: "He also exchanged messages with Bowes discussing the extent of the police activity in England.

"Bowes advised that the 'hole set up' had been taken by the police.

"Bowes commented that he had 'paper' and 'other stuff' which now needed to be moved.

"He expressed concern that the flat the group had used in London 'leads straight back to me'.

Stevenson was initially arrested after a police raid on the pill factory, however, he was granted bail and was able to leave the country.

Mr Prentice told the court at a previous hearing : "I understand he was arrested in February 2021 while he was out jogging in the Netherlands."

Bowes meantime was apprehended in Spain in April 2022 and has been held in custody since.

Thomas Ross KC, defending Stevenson, said: “I acknowledge that any attempt to mitigate the offences in the traditional sense would be an exercise in futility.

"He was led to this position by a series of of bad decisions in respect of the motivation which is obvious.

“He takes ownership of all these decisions and doesn’t cast blame on anyone’s action.

“He told the author of his background report that he knew exactly what he was going and he appreciates that you must pass a sentence that serves to deter others from doing something like this."

Gary Allan KC, defending Bilsland, told the court that his client was sought out by an "unknown person" after word spread that he was selling his business to retire.

The advocate stated that Bilsland was asked to help with administration to establish the new business but had never met the new buyer in person.

Mr Allan said: “Had he not been suspicious before, he realised beyond doubt he was involved in a criminal enterprise when he met Stevenson in Alicante.

“His fruit business experience was being used for the purposes of drugs.

“From that point onwards he accepts he would have to get away from the scheme he had involved himself in.

“He regrets that he did not have the strength to do so.”

John Scullion KC, representing Cross, said that his client's involvement was a result of financial problems on his business due to the pandemic.

Donald Findlay KC, defending Carbin, stated that his client's involvement was for "gain."

Bob Mitchell, representing Bowes, said that his client played a part in the criminal organisation due to his company's suffering during coronavirus.

Mr Mitchell said: "He is a surprising man to find facing charges like this at this stage of his life as he has no significant criminal history in the past.

"He has experienced remorse and regret for what he did."

Iain McSporran KC, stated: "He accepts that he made himself available to provide a place for the drugs to be stored. The attraction for this was easy money."

A hearing on serious organised crime orders will take place later in the month at the High Court in Edinburgh.

The National Crime Agency’s regional head of investigations Gerry Mclean said: “Jamie Stevenson and his OCG are now where they belong thanks to very long and tenacious investigations by officers from the NCA, Police Scotland and the Metropolitan Police.

“Offenders who traffick and peddle drugs around the UK don’t care at all about the harm they bring to our communities, they don’t care about the lives that are destroyed by addiction.

“The NCA and our policing partners will continue to employ every possible tactic to target offenders who pose such a threat to the public.”

Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Ferry, Police Scotland’s Head of Organised Crime, said: “The sentencing of Stevenson, Bilsland, Bowes, Carbin, McPhee and Cross following their guilty pleas sends out a clear message that the activities of those who think that they can bring illegal drugs into our communities will not be tolerated.

“I want to acknowledge the hard work and diligence shown by the officers who investigated the group and provided the evidence in what was a complex investigation. It also and shows the value of working with our law enforcement partners, including the National Crime Agency and those abroad and underlines Police Scotland’s unwavering commitment to the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce and its national strategy.

“This multi-agency operation, which spanned several countries, prevented a huge haul of illegal drugs reaching our communities and will have undoubtedly saved lives. However, we cannot be complacent, and our officers will continue their work to ensure Scotland remains a hostile environment for organised criminals.”

Deputy Crown Agent Kenny Donnelly, who leads the fight against serious organised crime for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), said: “James Stevenson and his criminal associates were involved in drug trafficking on an industrial and global scale. 

“But they have been brought to justice thanks to an extensive operation involving Police Scotland and the National Crime Agency, working with COPFS, to investigate and dismantle their network of drug supply. 

“Our message is clear: we will leave no stone unturned in our pursuit of drug traffickers. They will be caught, they will be prosecuted, and they will be brought to account for their crimes through the courts.”