A GALASHIELS man has become the first person to be jailed following a major drugs operation earlier this month in the Borders.
Thirty eight people were arrested and subsequently appeared in court under Operation Goal - a multi-agency initiative tackling drug dealing - which targeted various homes in the region earlier this month.
Darren Crawford, 28, pleaded guilty at Selkirk Sheriff Court under a Section 76 agreement to supplying heroin to undercover police officers on 10 occasions in the Kilnknowe area of Galashiels between March 15 and May 25, 2012.
He was arrested during a raid on his home on Thursday, July 5, and confronted with the evidence leading to his early guilty plea.
Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said Crawford had gone to another dealer to get nine, £20 wraps and a £30 deal of heroin after being approached by the officers. He added:”It is accepted this is not at the high end of the scale.”
Defence lawyer Ross Dow admitted his client had a heroin habit but pointed to a text message he sent to the officers on May 25 saying he did not want involved anymore.
He added:”He did desist, he did not make any profit and he did not deal from his house and went to a third party.”
Crawford had two drug-related previous convictions, but Sheriff Jamie Gilmour took into account he co-operated with police after being arrested and restricted the prison sentence to eight months back-dated to July 6 when he was first remanded into custody.
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