Glasgow men used solar panels to smuggle drugs from Spain

John Bonner, Christopher Laycock and David Kelly plotted with others to import the drugs into Scotland in an international trafficking scheme and money laundering operation spanning from March 2020 to January 2022.

However, their activities were exposed when police stopped a van travelling from an industrial estate in Hillington to a business park in Essex.

Cops inspected the van and made the shocking discovery.

The empty void within the solar panel (Image: COPFS) Five pallets with large, boxed items were addressed to a firm in Alicante, Spain, but this was later found to be a fake address.

Officers also discovered that the solar panel generators contained voids lined with lead and foil designed to prevent the contents being picked up by Border Force X-ray scanners.   

The generators could hold up to 400kg of controlled drugs, which prosecutors believed would then be ferried back from Alicante. 

John Bonner (Image: Police Scotland)

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Bonner, 38, acted as a collector for the gang’s drug sales, while Laycock, 52, provided ‘advice’ on how to set up a bogus shell firm as a front for the group to make their deliveries look legitimate.

Meanwhile, 42-year-old Kelly, who was an associate of Bonner, transported drug money for the group throughout the UK in his company van.

David Kelly (Image: Police Scotland) Incriminating messages on the EncroChat phone network also helped to snare the trio.

Some conversations revealed the vast sums of drugs-trafficking cash involved as well as discussions over anti-surveillance techniques to try and avoid detection by authorities. 

In one conversation, Laycock, who had a direct connection to cartel boss James White, said he had checked a vehicle in which cash had been hidden and it had “more than he thought”.  

White then told him there was £1.3m in it. Earlier, White had stated he needed £800,000 in Scottish bank notes “moved” to another location. 

Empty void within a solar panel (Image: COPFS) Kelly’s involvement was confirmed after his DNA was found to be on the handles of the fake solar panels which he helped load onto the van at Hillington. 

All three will now be subject to confiscation action under Proceeds of Crime legislation to recover monies made from their illegal activities. 

They were jailed for a total of 18 years and five months at the High Court in Edinburgh after pleading guilty to being involved in the commission of serious organised crime.

They previously pleaded guilty to offences including importing and supplying controlled drugs, possessing firearms and money laundering.

Christopher Laycock (Image: Police Scotland)

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The trio were also made the subject of Serious Crime Prevention Orders lasting three years so they cannot return to crime when they are released.

Bonner was given five years and 10 months, Laycock sentenced to six years and nine months, and Kelly will spend five years and 10 months behind bars.

Sineidin Corrins, deputy procurator fiscal for serious casework at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, said: “This is a significant prosecution. 

“These three individuals played pivotal roles in a coordinated operation to import huge quantities of illegal and harmful drugs into Scotland from abroad. 

“They are now serving lengthy prison sentences thanks to an extensive police operation, working with COPFS, to investigate a network of drug supply. 

“I hope these convictions and the sentence send a strong message to others involved in this kind of criminal behaviour and demonstrates the ability of police and prosecutors to investigate, prepare and prosecute serious and organised crime of this nature.  

 “With each case of this kind, we can help reduce the harm that these drugs inflict on Scotland’s communities. 

“The Crown will continue working with the police and other agencies as a member of Scotland’s Serious and Organised Crime Taskforce to ensure that these crimes are detected and those responsible prosecuted using all measures at our disposal.”  

Detective Chief Inspector Laura Sands said: “As part of one of Scotland’s most prolific crime groups, these men thought they were untouchable and above the law. However, working with partners, our officers have now brought them to justice.

“This sentencing sends a clear message to anyone involved in serious organised crime that it has no place in our society, and we will continue to work in partnership to identify those responsible and make our communities safer. 

“It underlines our commitment to the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce and the country’s Serious Organised Crime Strategy.

“Information from the public is crucial to our investigations and we would continue to urge anyone with knowledge or concerns about organised crime or drugs activity in their area to contact Police Scotland on 101.

"Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”