Scot drug lab boss jailed for 13 years after Spain arrest

A man from Motherwell who ran an amphetamine lab has been jailed for more than 13 years after being arrested in Spain.

Colin Wright, the head of the Scottish arm of an organised crime group, was captured in Spain this year and extradited back to the UK to face justice following a National Crime Agency investigation.

The NCA reported the 38-year-old was “actively involved” in the supply of cocaine and heroin in the UK, and created an amphetamine lab in North Lanarkshire.

The investigation formed part of Operation Venetic, the UK-led response to the takedown of the EncroChat communications platform in July 2020.

Wright was arrested as part of the operation and was the seventh member of the gang to jailed.

Terence Earle, 50, was sent to prison for over 16 years and his cousin Stephen Earle, 52, was sentenced for 11 years and four months in August.

Wright pleaded guilty to five drug charges at Liverpool Crown Court last month.

He used the encrypted phone network EncroChat using the handle “Jack Nicklaus” to source drugs, assess supply routes and find customers.

He created an amphetamine lab was capable of producing 1,000kg in Motherwell, in March 2020, as the nation entered its first Covid lockdown.

Wright also helped ship at least 20kgs of cocaine and 10kg of heroin between Motherwell and Merseyside in England.

NCA Branch Commander Cat McHugh said: “Wright’s case shows that criminals who seek refuge abroad are never immune from law enforcement’s reach.

“His sentencing means that we have completely dismantled this organised crime group, who posed a grave danger to communities in Scotland and Merseyside, with the drugs they trafficked helping to fuel violence and exploitation.”