Sutherland man jailed for being concerned in supply of cocaine worth over £12,000
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A 27-year-old first offender from Sutherland was jailed for 18 months after being caught bringing cocaine worth £12,500 into the Highlands.
Police swooped on Miller MacKay, of Manse Road, Lairg, at the junction of the A836 and B9176 roads on the Struie, and found 125 grams cocaine in his possession in September 2021 when he was aged 25.
He pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of the drug at that location "and elsewhere".
MacKay looked stunned as he was handcuffed and led from the dock at Inverness Justice Centre as his mother sobbed in the public benches.
Fiscal depute Naomi Duffy-Welsh forfeited about £300 and two sets of scales also found in MacKay's possession.
Earlier, defence solicitor Mhyrin Hill said favourable reports had been prepared on MacKay and pointed out he was a first offender and seen as a low risk of re-offending. He was also in a position of trust at his employment.
She added: "There has been impact on his wider family but his parents have remained supportive."
Sheriff Eilidh MacDonald said that despite what had been said in MacKay's favour, this was a "significant amount" of cocaine he was bringing into the Highlands with a potential street value of £12,500.
She added: "You were 25 years old and you undertook to get yourself involved in this kind of activity knowing full well what the consequences might be, and now you have to face these consequences."
