Gang aimed to flood Moray with drugs via Elgin base
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A 'County Lines' drugs gang who planned to flood Moray and the Highlands with cocaine and heroin are behind bars.
The mob set up bases in Inverness and Elgin to further their lucrative trafficking operation.
A judge heard how £2000-a-day was raked in from one house used for dealing.
Duncan Murdoch (29), Richard Pryce (31), Nathaniel Morgan (32) and Alexander Cobb (28) all appeared in the dock at the High Court in Glasgow today.
The four had been due to stand trial, but instead pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine and heroin at different dates in 2018.
They will be sentenced next month.
The mob were targeted during the Operation Bantom police probe.
Prosecutor Graeme Jessop said: "The group operated on a 'County Lines' basis.
"This is a term used to describe a method used by criminal networks from major cities to expand their drug networks to more rural areas."
The Nottingham-based gang soon set up in Inverness and Elgin to ply their illegal trade.
Pryce and Morgan based themselves down south and were described as "receptionists" as they were in control of phones to organise drug deals.
Cobb – also from Nottingham – was in the Highlands to manage "day-to-day" supply.
Murdoch, of Inverness, was recruited to bank dirty money and use his account to transfer funds.
Two "dedicated" phone lines – nicknamed 'Stix' and 'Jazz' – saw 11,000 calls and texts made in just a month.
One message stated: "Everything same as before, but better service."
Mr Jessop said: "Between the dates, in excess of £50,000 was deposited in Inverness.
"This money was then dispersed in Nottingham via different methods."
The hearing was told heroin, cocaine and cash was found at a "holiday let" in Inverness.
The police also raided a rented flat in Elgin after Cobb and another man arrived to establish another dealer base.
Judge Michael O'Grady KC remanded all four in custody and deferred sentencing until October.
