Scots drug trafficker who was 'tech expert' for gangsters has jail time doubled

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A drugs trafficker who set himself up as a counter-surveillance expert for gangsters has had his prison sentence doubled.Ian Sweeney was caged for two years at the High Court in Glasgow last year after admitting his role helping some of the country's serious organised crime gangs.Sweeney’s crimes were exposed when police discovered he was using the handle "Bug-sweep" on the EncroChat messaging platform and was in contact with over 100 members of organised crime groups.The 53-year-old amassed a fortune by advising crime gangs and supplying them with equipment which allowed them to sweep their cars, homes and business premises for police bugs.He also taught them how they could customise their vehicles to include "hides" - hidden compartments where drugs and guns could be stored to be smuggled into the country or transported without detection.He pleaded guilty to being involved in serious organised crime and being concerned in the supply of controlled drugs, including cocaine and cannabis, between March and May 2020.Prosecutors from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service argued the 53-year-old's sentence was too short.

The Appeal Court upheld the Crown's appeal and Sweeney's original sentence of two years was quashedSweeney was instead sentenced to five years and six months in prison.

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