'Young and immature' man caught in £300,000 Dundee drugs handover jailed

A “young, immature and stupid” man who was caught in a £300,000 drugs handover has been jailed for four years.

Adam Pettigrew, 24, was picked up by drugs squad detectives during surveillance on another suspect in Dundee on September 19, 2024.

The High Court in Glasgow heard how he had been seen in conversation with the individual, who had been in a Renault van in the city’s St Salvador Street.

Prosecutor Christopher Miller told judge Norman McFadyen KC that Pettigrew took possession of cocaine with a potential maximum value of £300,600.

Pettigrew – via his lawyer Duncan McPhie – pled guilty to a charge of being concerned in the supply of the class A drug earlier this year, and the sentence was deferred to the High Court in Edinburgh for the court to obtain reports on his background.

On Tuesday, the case was called again in the Scottish capital for sentencing.

Mr McPhie said his client hadn’t previously offended and wasn’t facing any other criminal action.

He said Pettigrew only had the drugs in his possession for “moments” before police arrested him.

Mr McPhie added: “He built up a significant drugs debt. He sought to take the easy way out of paying this and became involved in the drugs trade.

“He is foolish. He apologises for his conduct. He is young, immature and stupid.”

Passing sentence, judge McFadyen said: “I have decided the only appropriate way of dealing with you is to impose a period of custody.”

Judge McFadyen said that Pettigrew would have received a five year jail term if he hadn’t pleaded guilty.