Police ScotlandA personal trainer was caught with a £900,000 drugs haul following a high speed police chase.
William Paterson, 35, threw the box of cocaine from a car window during the pursuit around the north of Glasgow on March 1 2023.
Officers had earlier kept tabs on “courier” Paterson through Operation Windstriker which focused on an organised crime group based in the west of Scotland.
The High Court in Glasgow was told that Paterson was spotted receiving a box from a man in the city’s Springboig.
Paterson was noted to put the box in the vehicle and drove off.
Officers stopped beside Paterson at a set of traffic lights on Cumbernauld Road.
Prosecutor Alan Parfery said: “Paterson became aware of the officers and drove off.
“He did a U-turn, entered the central reservation then the wrong side of the road and drove off at speed towards Glasgow.”
Paterson went on to strike a police vehicle and drove through a red light.
Officers saw Paterson throw a black phone out of the driver’s window during the pursuit.
Paterson later did another U-turn in the city’s Robroyston when he drove back towards the pursuing officers.
Paterson’s Mercedes struck the police vehicle which caused his airbags to inflate as well as damage to both cars.
He was apprehended then taken to hospital and released without treatment.
However, two of the officers involved suffered from suspected whiplash. The police vehicle was later written off.
Paterson’s car was searched and two envelopes containing £1,000 and £5,370 were recovered.
The black box Paterson was earlier spotted taking possession of was not found.
Officers retraced the route of the pursuit and recovered it from near Hogganfield Loch.
Mr Parfery said: “There were 90 blocks of cocaine in the box.
“Subdivided into one gram street deals, there is potential realisation of between £719,000 and £898,800.”
It was also stated that the purity of the blocks ranged between 81% and 83%.
Paterson’s home in Chryston, Lanarkshire, was searched and a MacBook as well as an iPhone were recovered. Both items were later destroyed by police.
Paterson pled guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine aggravated by a connection with serious organised crime.
It was revealed that his only previous convictions concern road traffic matters.
Sentence was deferred pending background reports until next month by Judge Lady Hood.
She said: “Due to the gravity and seriousness of the offence, it seems to me that bail is inappropriate to continue.
“This will be revoked and you will be remanded in custody.”
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