Court / Prison warning made after man admits drugs charge

A MAN from Tingwall has been warned that he could face a prison sentence after admitting being concerned in the supply of cocaine.

Darren Boxwell appeared at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday to admit being concerned in the supply of the class A drug between 1 December 2018 and 12 July 2019.

However, his defence agent Gregor Kelly said the 33-year-old was stuck in a “hamster wheel” at the bidding of someone “higher up in the chain”.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said police enquiries had been ongoing for some time on the matter, with officers searching Boxwell’s home.

The court heard that police found a relatively small amount of drugs, as well as some items like scales and evidence of a larger quantity of cocaine.

Boxwell told police that the items were his, the court heard, but that the drugs were for personal use.

There was also handwritten notes consistent with a “tick list”, while a 677-page report was compiled after police officers looked through a mobile phone, which contained thousands of text messages.

The court heard that through this 11 people were identified as “regular customers”.

Mackenzie said that Boxwell was supplying on behalf of another person from whom he bought the cocaine, and that debts were owed.

The court heard that the potential sums associated with the operation reached into the tens of thousands.

Defence agent Kelly said he would give representation at the next court hearing on 9 June, although he said his client had been using the drugs himself.

Sheriff Ian Cruickshank said that “based on what I have heard it’s almost inevitable that a custodial sentence will be considered appropriate”.

The case was adjourned for the preparation of a criminal justice social work report.