Ian Sweeney, 53, of Salsburgh, North Lanarkshire, charged thousands of pounds to provide equipment and advice on how to sweep properties and cars for listening devices. 

He also provided information on adapting vehicles to install “hides” for secretly transporting drugs. 

But his crimes were uncovered when police discovered the accused was using the handle “Bug-sweep” on the encrypted EncroChat messaging platform and was in contact with over 100 associates. 

Sweeney was sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow after he admitted being involved in serious organised crime and being concerned in the supply of controlled drugs, including cocaine and cannabis between March and May 2020. 

Sineidin Corrins, deputy procurator fiscal for specialist casework at the Crown Office, said: “I hope that this conviction 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.  

“We will continue to work with our partners at the Scottish Crime Campus and as part of the Serious and Organised Crime Taskforce to tackle serious organised crime. This kind of case highlights the extensive work that has been ongoing against these groups.”