Rutherglen man Jamie Stevenson accused of smuggling drugs in fruit deliveries and laundering £1m

A man has appeared in court accused of being involved in the importation of drugs around the world.

Jamie Stevenson, 57, was allegedly involved in serious organised crime between January and September 2020.

Court papers state Stevenson imported cocaine at Glasgow fruit market in the city’s Townhead, as well as further afield locations such as London, Alicante in Spain and Ecuador.

Stevenson, of Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire is further accused of conducting others to import cocaine.

One accusation states that Stevenson ordered two men to conceal the drug in imported fruit deliveries to Glasgow fruit market for onward supply.

Stevenson allegedly used the cash from this to finance the set-up of the importation operation and to purchase equipment for Glasgow fruit market, lease premises, acquire motor vehicles and register company directors under false names for his financial gain.

A separate charge sheet claims that Stevenson was involved in serious organised crime by using an encrypted devices and arranged for the collection, storage and onward supply and transmission of criminal property.

This is said to be £1,014,250 in money.

It is stated that Stevenson directed a man to commit money laundering by using an encrypted phone to direct the collection, storage, onward transmission and supply of the £1,014,250 in cash.

Stevenson is further accused of agreeing with another man, who is now a prisoner in Barlinnie, to do something he knew or ought reasonably to have known or suspected would further the commission of serious organised crime.

It is stated this was done at a property and a motor van in East Kilbride between March and April 2020.

This was allegedly carried out by using encrypted communication devices, concealed hides in motor vehicles and arranged for the collection, adulteration and onward supply of cocaine for Stevenson’s financial gain.

A final charge sheet claims that Stevenson and three others were involved in separate charges of being concerned in the supply of etizolam and alprazolam.

This is said to have taken place at addresses in Glasgow’s Finnieston as well as East Kilbride and Larkhall, South Lanarkshire between March and June 2020.

Stevenson is further accused of directing and instructing others to be concerned in the production and supply of etizolam and alprazolam.

Stevenson is also accused of telling the others to conceal, possess and transfer money for his own financial gain.

The final charge claims Stevenson was involved in serious organised crime and agreed with others to do something he knew or ought to have known would further enable serious organised crime by supplying etizolam and alprazolam by concealing, transferring and possessing it.

Stevenson appeared on video link at a private hearing at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Thursday.

Solicitor Aamer Anwar appeared on behalf of Stevenson and said he made no plea and was remanded in custody.

Stevenson will next appear at court within eight days for a full committal hearing.

He said: “As proceedings are live it would be inappropriate to comment further.”