Gangland figure sentenced over role in £14million drugs trafficking operation

John Gray, 53, was convicted following a prosecution by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS). 

Evidence gathered by prosecutors showed how Gray, of Paisley, played a key role in the widespread operation over the course of five years, alongside other high-profile gangland nominals. 

These included James White, originally of Glasgow, who was jailed for almost ten years in 2023 for the importation of drugs, having been extradited from Brazil to Scotland. 

Gray’s downfall began after police uncovered messages from him to associates on Encrochat, the encrypted communications platform favoured by criminals.

The messages included discussions about drug deals involving cocaine, cannabis and heroin. 

He was arrested at Glasgow Airport in March this year as part of Police Scotland’s Operation Escalade after returning to Scotland on a flight from Dubai. 

Today, he was sentenced to five years 10 months in prison at the High Court in Glasgow after admitting to being involved in serious organised crime between August 2015 and June 2020. 

He was also made subject of a Serious Crime Prevention Order which will take effect for three years following his release and is designed to deter him from re-offending.

Prosecutor Sineidin Corrins, of COPFS, said:

“This is a significant prosecution of an individual who was a high-ranking member of a serious organised crime gang. 

“John Gray had an integral role in a co-ordinated operation to traffic quantities of illegal and harmful drugs on an industrial scale. 

“But he is now serving a lengthy prison sentence thanks to an extensive police operation, working with COPFS, to investigate a network of drug supply.  

“I hope this conviction sends a strong message to others involved in this kind of criminal behaviour and demonstrates the ability of police and prosecutors to investigate, prepare and prosecute serious and organised crime of this nature. 

“Our message is clear: we will leave no stone unturned in our pursuit of drug traffickers. 

“They will be caught, they will be prosecuted, and they will be brought to account for their crimes through the courts.” 

Evidence gathered by prosecutors showed Gray was seen in the company of high-profile gangland nominals, including White, on numerous occasions in Glasgow, Paisley, Edinburgh and elsewhere to discuss drug deals. 

He was also involved in the storage, processing and the movement of money connected to the purchase and sale of Class A drugs. 

Analysis of the Encrochat messages showed Gray was involved in drugs deals for cocaine with a street value of £13.5m, cannabis worth £497,500 and heroin valued at £38,000. 

He will now be subject to confiscation action under Proceeds of Crime legislation to recover monies illegally obtained. 

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