A GARELOCHHEAD man who was caught with cocaine worth £1.6 million in a vehicle on the M74 motorway has been jailed for more than five years.

Christopher Tinsley was snared on the northbound carriageway of the motorway near Lesmahagow, Lanarkshire on April 20 last year.

The 35 year-old had got involved in ferrying the illegal haul due to gambling issues.

At the High Court in Glasgow on Wednesday, Tinsley – who, a judge said, had also had drug problems of his own – was locked up for five years and four months.

He had earlier pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine.

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His lawyer told the hearing how Tinsley, of Upland Road in the village, had personal issues in his life at the time.

Euan Dow, defending, added: "He had also incurred significant gambling debts before April 20 last year.

"It was through these issues that saw him become involved in these events.

"His role was that of a courier. He had limited knowledge of the operation.

"It is his position that he did not realise the full extent of what he was transporting.

"He seeks in no way to minimize his role.

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"Given the desperate financial position, he felt that he had no choice but to comply with the request to transport the drugs."

Lady Stacey said the jail-term would have been eight years, but for his guilty plea.

The judge said: "You know the chaos and harm controlled drugs can cause.

"You now realise the position you put yourself in. You had an addiction to amphetamine.

"I accept you were a gambler and that caused financial difficulties."

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