Scots drugs kingpin Paul Easdon jailed with Mr Scotland crime pal after boasting of £4m-a-month cocaine empire

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A dealer nicknamed “glasgowceltic” who forged links with a fellow criminal known as “Rangers” during a multi-million pound drug trafficking operation was jailed today for six years. Paul Easdon boasted how the cartel was raking in £4m-a-month from selling cocaine alone.

The 37-year-old - who lived a flash lifestyle from his ill-gotten gains - was in the same criminal network as ex-Mr Scotland bodybuilder John Barry McDuff. Easdon has now joined McDuff behind bars after the law authorities smashed the EncroChat phone network used by scores of crime gangs.

The former plant hire worker, of Strathaven, Lanarkshire, pled guilty to a charge of being involved in serious organised crime. This spanned between April 2018 and February 2023.

Judge Lord Renucci told Easdon at today's sentencing at the High Court in Glasgow.: "By your plea, you accept your role in an organised crime group over a period of nearly five years. You had a role in a multi-million organisation and you had a significant role to play.

"You were involved in the transport, sale and supply of drugs. This was a large criminal operation which involved a large amount of money and drugs over a lengthy period. Standing the gravity of the offence you pled guilty to, your role, the time period and your involvement, the only appropriate disposal is custody."

As Easdon was being led into the cells, there were shouts of "keep the head up" and "God bless" by his family in the public gallery. A female family member also turned to the press gallery and stated: "It's all lies." A hearing on a serious crime prevention order will take place at the High Court in Stirling next month.

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The High Court in Glasgow heard how the dad was in contact with a number of associates on EncroChat including an individual with the handle “mrr-Rangers”. Easdon used the name “glasgowceltic”. The pair discussed purchasing cocaine which he stated he could sell for £40,000 per kilogram.

There was also chat of “mrr-Rangers” paying Easdon £320,000 as well as £100,000 to be collected in Johnstone, Renfrewshire. Easdon was also in touch with another individual remarking how he was “spinning 100+ bro”.

Prosecutor Adrian Stalker said: "These messages indicated that Easdon and his associates were selling in excess of 100 kilograms per month of cocaine at a price of at least £40,000 per kilogram."

In another conversation, Easdon chatted about different types of cocaine which included 'Chanel' and 'CR7'. Easdon also gave advice to an associate about how to avoid detection by the authorities as well as the purchasing of a hydraulic press to help prepare and package drugs.

Easdon was further in contact with McDuff - known as “Reverselily” - about the purchase of heroin and cannabis. Easdon’s own personal mobile was examined during the probe. Mr Stalker added: "Images recovered suggest he lived a very comfortable lifestyle including expensive holidays and motor vehicles."

Thomas Ross KC, defending, told the sentencing: "He takes responsibility for being involved in serious organised crime. He explained why he was involved, he made sums of money from his involvement and there would be consequences.

"He has the message now that it is a harmful trade and knows he has caused a great deal of distress to his family. His role was as a middle man or an intermediary or broker."

McDuff was jailed for seven years in September after he admitted to the same charge.

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