Drugs gang who aimed to 'flood' Moray and Highlands with heroin and cocaine are sentenced to prison
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A GANG who intended to 'flood' Moray and the Highlands with drugs have been sent to prison.
Duncan Murdoch (29), of Inverness, and Nathaniel Morgan (32), Alexander Cobb (28) and Richard Pryce (31), all from Nottingham, were sentenced to prison at the High Court in Glasgow today (Wednesday, November 16).
Cobb was jailed for seven years, while Pryce was imprisoned for five years and three months and given a three-year Serious Crime Prevention Order.
Morgan was sent to prison for two years and three months, with Inverness-based Murdoch to spend 18 months behind bars.
An intelligence-led operation in 2018, called Operation Bantom, resulted in the seizure of £46,000 worth of heroin and cocaine, before the quartet were arrested in Nottingham.
The investigation included the raid of a rented Elgin home, which was operating as a base for dealing drugs.
MORE: Gang aimed to flood Moray with drugs.
The foursome pleaded guilty to drugs-related offences in September before being sentenced today.
Detective Constable Chris Macleod, of the Divisional Organised Crime Team in Inverness, praised the Elgin community for helping the investigation.
He said: “We welcome today’s sentencing. I hope this sends a strong message to those who are involved in dealing drugs that that we will target those involved in this type of illegal activity, no matter where you are based.
"Just as drug dealing is not confined by boundaries, neither are our investigations.
“This was a complex investigation and we would like to sincerely thank our partners at Nottinghamshire Police for their co-operation during this operation.
“The local communities in Inverness and Elgin have played an important part in this investigation and its success.
"We would like to reassure them that we remain committed to disrupting those involved in operating and benefitting from the supply of illegal drugs.
"We will keep targetting those intent on causing harm in our local communities."
