Dingwall man who hid drugs in Kinder egg tried to smash phone as police approached, court told
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A 27-year-old Dingwall man tried to destroy his phone when it rang as police approached him to question him about another matter.
Stuart Johnstone of Cromarty House, Dingwall attempted to smash it on the ground on May 31, 2020 but officers took possession of it, suspecting he may be involved in drug dealing.
Later examination confirmed their suspicions as evidence was discovered implicating him in the supply of etizolam.
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Inverness Sheriff Court heard that Johnstone was arrested later that same day and 224 tablets of the Class C drug were found on him. A further search of a property in Firhill, Alness to which Johnstone had connections, revealed around 5644 tablets of the Class C drug in a cupboard and 111 hidden in a Kinder egg.
Fiscal depute Robert Weir told Sheriff Sara Matheson that the estimated street value was £2990 or 50p a tablet.
Defence solicitor advocate Clare Russell asked for a background report on her client. "He has adhered to bail conditions since 2020 and his lifestyle has changed significantly since then."
Johnstone admitted attempting to pervert the course of justice by damaging the phone and being concerned in the supply of drugs.
Johnston had his bail continued to return for sentencing on April 8.
