Police Scotland officers received intelligence that a vehicle was travelling from England with a significant quantity of drugs on board.

Kurtis James Taylor, from Liverpool, was stopped while driving a black Vauxhall Vivaro van on the M74, near Lesmahagow, on September 5, 2023.

The vehicle was taken to Coatbridge Police Office and searched with the assistance of a drug detection dog. A hidden hydraulic compartment was discovered underneath the back seat of the vehicle – which was opened and closed using a modified key fob.

A total of ten block-shaped packages – embossed with a Twitter logo – were discovered inside and were later found to be cocaine. The drugs – which weighed around 10kg – held an approximate street value of between £801,840 and £1,002,300 if cut up for sale.

Taylor, 30, appeared at Glasgow High Court on Wednesday, May 15, where admitted being involved in the supply of the Class A drug.

Yesterday, at the same court, he was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment.

Moira Orr, who leads on homicide and major crime for the Crown Office, said: “This was a sophisticated effort to bring significant quantities of illegal and harmful drugs across the border from England.

“Kurtis Taylor will now serve a significant prison sentence thanks to the intelligence-led police operation and work by prosecutors. We are determined to disrupt serious and organised crime.

“We are targeting all people who threaten communities across Scotland, from drug couriers to those who direct their movements. With each case of this kind, we can help reduce the harm these drugs inflict on those communities.”