Football scout Jordan McKinlay, 30, was handed the sentence by Lord Scott at the High Court in Glasgow after having earlier pleaded guilty to supplying drugs.

McKinlay’s co-accused, Gary O’ Connell, 23, was imprisoned for four years last December for ferrying the drugs from England in the van.

Prosecutors revealed McKinley was snared after police uncovered a secret compartment inside a Renault Kangoo van containing wrapped packages of cocaine worth £452,000.

The court was told police used a magnet to reveal the specially adapted space and discovered nine blocks of cocaine. McKinlay was later apprehended at the Fort Shopping Centre in Easterhouse, Glasgow, and officers found a similar secret compartment in his van and the keys to the Renault.

McKinlay was sentenced after he pled guilty at a hearing at the High Court in Glasgow last month to being concerned in the supply of drugs.

Laura Buchan, procurator fiscal for specialist casework, said the prosecution should act as a strong warning to drugs traffickers.

She said: “This was a coordinated effort to bring significant quantities of illegal and harmful drugs into Scotland. The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service is committed to working with the Police Service of Scotland and other reporting agencies to stop the activities of serious and organised crime groups.

“These individuals threaten communities across Scotland. With each successful prosecution, we can help reduce the harm these drugs inflict on communities.”