Drug 'factory worker' caught with £250,000 haul after Clydebank fish and chip shop fire

A “factory worker” for a drugs gang has been jailed for 40 months after a fire at a fish and chip shop led to the recovery of £250,000 worth of heroin and cocaine.

Stephen Tosh was caught after a blaze broke out at the shop on Kilbowie Road in Clydebank last year, and firefighters forced entry to a flat above.

Police were called to the flat and found bags containing wraps of drugs. Scales and mixing bowls were also discovered.

The 38-year-old’s DNA was found on items in the flat, and police learnt that he regularly visited the property.

The heroin recovered had a potential street value of £130,000, and the cocaine had a maximum value of £120,000.

A judge at the High Court in Edinburgh told Tosh: “You have pled guilty to two charges of being concerned in the supply of drugs for a period of over three years.”

Lord Ericht said: “Your role was as a factory worker involved in the adulteration, weighing and packaging of drugs.”

He said Tosh has expressed “a sense of relief” at being caught and told him: “This is your opportunity to change and live a better life.”

The judge told the father-of-two that he would have faced a five-year jail term but for his plea of guilty.

Tosh, formerly of Chapelhall, earlier admitted being concerned in the supply of heroin and cocaine between May 9, 2020 and July 26, 2023. Both offences were aggravated by a connection with serious organised crime.

Defence counsel Euan Dow said Tosh developed a drug problem in his 20s and became involved in low-level dealing.

He said his brother-in-law was also involved with drugs but committed suicide owing money to others, and Tosh became involved with the drugs factory.

Mr Dow said: “He feels a degree of relief that his involvement in this enterprise is now over. He describes feeling trapped and unable to extract himself from the situation he found himself in.”

The defence counsel that the expressions of remorse Tosh made to a social worker preparing a background report on him were genuine.