Scots gangster admits role in £14m drugs operation

A high-profile member of a Scots crime gang has admitted his involvement in a £14m drugs operation.

John Gray, 53, was associated with gangster brothers Barry and James Gillespie as well as James ‘The Don’ White.

White was jailed for almost ten years in 2023 for the importation of drugs, having been extradited from Brazil to Scotland.

The Gillespies’ whereabouts are currently unknown, which resulted in White taking control of the group that had links with other underworld figures across.

Gray was caught by police meeting the trio at a variety of locations in 2015, which included Glasgow city centre’s Princes Street and a KFC in Wishaw, Lanarkshire.

His five years of “top-tier” crime were uncovered after law enforcement breached an encrypted phone device Gray had been using.

Gray was arrested on a warrant at Glasgow Airport in March 2026 as he stepped off a plane.

He was hauled into the dock at the High Court in Glasgow from custody, where he has been since his arrest.

Gray, of Paisley, Renfrewshire, pleaded guilty to being involved in serious organised crime.

The charges span from August 2015 to June 2020.

Gray linked to ‘principal members’ of organised crime group

The court heard that Gray was caught following police operation Escalade.

It was stated that Gray was initially spotted in the company of the “principal members” of the organised crime group in Glasgow’s Princes Square on August 23, 2015.

Prosecutor Chris Miller said: “The purpose of the meeting was to ascertain the whereabouts of criminal cash in excess of £1m.

“On August 25, Gray was seen at a meeting in Motherwell town centre in the company of the principal members of the gang.

“They then travelled to a further meeting with members of the gang at a KFC in Wishaw.”

The gang got together the following day at Gibson Street in Glasgow.

Mr Miller said: “Gray was seen to get in a car with James White and drive off.”

In October 2015, Gray was spotted having a chat with White at a cafe in Glasgow’s Shawlands.

Gray had been seen earlier that month meeting an associate who sold encrypted Encrochat mobile devices at a Toby Carvery car park.

These devices were later breached by French law enforcement, which led to Gray’s crimes being revealed.

Mr Miller said: “Gray operated at the top tier level of being concerned in the supply of unadulterated cocaine, cannabis and diamorphine around Glasgow, Paisley and elsewhere.

“He was also involved in the storing, processing and moving of money associated with both the purchase and sale of the drugs, but also monies derived from that, which formed the sources of funds for the organised crime group.”

The advocate depute told the court a string of conversations he had with various people who used anonymous ‘handles’ which included ‘T in the Park’.

Gray also spoke with ‘Big Poppa’, who was Darren Collin – jailed for eight years in 2020 after his Encrochat device was compromised.

His capture led to the seizure of £1.3m of heroin and cocaine as well as £517,000 in cash.

Gray was seen to arrange to meet Collin regarding a payment of £175,000 for previously supplied drugs

Mr Miller stated that the total amount of cocaine Gray was involved with ranged between £4.5m and £13.5m.

The cannabis was found to be £497,500.

Gray was also involved in the collection of £1m as well as obtaining adulterants for drugs.

It was revealed that Gray has previous convictions which are not analogous.

The sentence was deferred pending background reports until next month by Judge Lord Cubie.

The judge said: “You have pleaded guilty to being involved in serious organised crime for five years, and you operated at the top of the crime group.

“You were involved in the sale and supply of cocaine, which ranged between £4.5 million and £13.5 million, as well as cannabis worth half a million pounds.

“You were involved in the sale and supply of drugs which corrode and disrupt society, and the court must take a view on such offending.

“You will recognise that the only sentence to reflect the offending is a substantial period in prison.”