Tain man who ran away from police - who were looking for someone else - found with £20k worth of cannabis

A man from Tain who spotted police - who were looking for someone else - and ran away was caught with nearly £20,000 worth of cannabis.

Dean Sutherland (31) was chased by police and his rucksack was searched, where it was found he had 983.3g of cannabis in one sealed bag and 409.84g in another.

Sutherland also disposed of a phone which was found five metres from him in an alleyway near Scotsburn Road, Tain on March 5, 2024.

Fiscal depute Pauline Gair told Sheriff Gary Aitken at Inverness Sheriff Court: “At 10.45am on Tuesday, March 5 2024, police were on a uniformed foot patrol outside Mansfield Estate, Tain, making search for a male on an unrelated matter.

“The accused walked down the footpath at the rear of Mansfield Estate and on observing the police, he turned and ran back the way he just travelled.

“Police gave chase and traced Sutherland in the alleyway near Scotsburn Road, Tain.

“Police noted he had dilated pupils, was sweating and emanating a strong smell of cannabis.

“He was detained and cautioned at common law and initiated he understood and made no reply and the search was commenced.

“Police searched the accused and recovered a black rucksack from him alongside two sealed bags which contained green herbal substances.

“They also recovered a red iPhone in a purple case from the alleyway about five metres from the accused on the ground, and it appeared to have been discarded by him prior to being apprehended.

“The accused denied ownership of the mobile phone.”

Sutherland was arrested and taken to Burnett Road Police station where he provided a no comment interview.

A drug search of his home address showed no criminality.

The drugs found in the rucksack were sent for analysis and were found to be 983.9g of cannabis with the potential to release £5k and £6k in a kilo deal or £9830 to £14745 in 1g deals.

The other bag contained 409.84g of cannabis with the potential to generate £2430 as that weight or to release between £4090 and £6130 sold as 1g deals.

Sutherland, Fountain Road, Tain, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of a controlled drug.

Sheriff Aitken ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work with 18 months of supervision.

Sutherland’s defence solicitor Graham Mann said: “His role was to hold onto drugs. He has expressed remorse and regret.”