Court / Police welcome sentencing of man on drugs charge

POLICE in Shetland have welcomed the conviction and sentencing of a 33-year-old man in relation who admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine in the isles.

Darren Boxwell previously pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of the class A drug between 1 December 2018 and 12 July 2019.

He was sentenced to 16 months in prison at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday (9 June).

Detective Sergeant Bruce Peebles said: “Boxwell played a clear and active part in the supplying of cocaine, a class A controlled drug, over a period of time. This was clearly evidenced by a thorough and painstaking police enquiry.

“What was evident during this enquiry was that a significant number of local people were customers of Boxwell and clearly did not consider themselves to be part of a criminal enterprise as such, very often being unknown to the police, up to the point they were identified.

“I would take this opportunity to remind people who think it is socially acceptable to use cocaine, that by doing so, they are in fact fuelling organised crime, violence and misery and that their own self-gratifying actions are perpetuating this at a local, national and international level.

“Consuming controlled drugs, in particular class A drugs, is never acceptable. We would again take this opportunity to ask the public to report any persons that they believe are involved in drug misuse.”

Information can be passed by phoning 101 or reporting anonymously online via the Police Scotland website. Alternatively, suspicions can also be reported anonymously via Crimestoppers, on 0800555111, or via their website.