John Bonner, Christopher Laycock and David Kelly, all of Glasgow, plotted with others to import a large quantity of cocaine and heroin into Scotland from Spain hidden inside fake solar panels.

But their criminal activities were exposed when surveillance police examined the panels following the search of a van which had been driven from an industrial estate in Hillington, Glasgow, to a business park in Essex.

All three were sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh after pleading guilty to being involved in the commission of serious organised crime. They were also made subject of Serious Crime Prevention Orders lasting three years designed to prevent their return to crime on their release from custody.

Sineidin Corrins, deputy procurator fiscal for serious casework at the Crown Office, said: “This is a significant prosecution. These three individuals played pivotal roles in a co-ordinated 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.”