A father who involved his teenage son in a drug-dealing scheme has been ordered to pay back a minimal amount of £4,000, despite profiting nearly £150,000. The father, Mark Glasgow, aged 44, along with his son Niall, who was 19 at the time, were apprehended with over £10,000 worth of cannabis during a police raid at their residence. The incident occurred on October 6, 2023, in Newport, after intelligence reports revealed their involvement in the distribution of cannabis. Messages intercepted from their phones indicated that the father-son duo had collaborated on this illicit operation, handling a substantial amount of cannabis valued in thousands of pounds. Border Force officials intercepted a total of nine packages, weighing 3.75kg, over a nine-month period, all containing cannabis. Subsequently, on September 29, 2023, the police searched Mark Glasgow’s mother’s address in Newport, where they discovered a burner phone, multiple sim cards, and plastic bags.
Further investigations led to a raid on Mark and Niall Glasgow’s residence on Jeddo Street, Newport, on October 6, during which authorities confiscated several items, including mobile phones, a grinder, weighing scales, cannabis wax, cash amounting to £325, and 767g of cannabis stored in 11 individual bags. The total worth of the narcotics involved, excluding those seized by Border Force, was estimated to be between £10,890 and £11,780. Niall Glasgow’s phone contained 857 messages related to the supply of cannabis, confirming his involvement. He confessed to being a cannabis user who sourced drugs from his father. Conversations retrieved from their communication discussed pricing, importation details, different strains of cannabis, evasion tactics, and even sharing photos and videos of the illegal substances. Moreover, Niall Glasgow had made violent threats against his drug clients on several occasions. The investigations also revealed a significant amount of money passing through Mark Glasgow’s bank account, totalling around £18,000.
Mark Glasgow later admitted guilt to charges of possessing cannabis with intent to supply and evading the prohibition on importing cannabis. His criminal history included 20 prior convictions, including a case involving crack cocaine possession in 2007. On the other hand, Niall Glasgow pleaded guilty to his involvement in the cannabis supply. He confessed to being a long-time cannabis user and stated that his father provided him with drugs to sell to friends, in exchange for which he received cannabis as compensation. During a sentencing hearing, Judge Lucy Crowther reprimanded Mark Glasgow for involving his son in criminal activities, emphasising the severity of this aggravating factor. Addressing Niall, the judge criticized his lack of understanding regarding the detrimental effects of cannabis use, highlighting that he perceived drug dealing as a normal part of family life.
In a subsequent Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) hearing at Cardiff Crown Court, it was disclosed that Mark Glasgow had profited a staggering £147,789 from his crimes, but possessed assets valued only at £4,000. In light of this, Judge Eugene Egan ruled that Mark Glasgow was liable to pay back the sum of £4,000. The case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of engaging in illegal drug trade and the detrimental impact it can have on families and communities.
The intricate details of the case unveiled a disturbing father-son partnership in drug-dealing, shedding light on the insidious nature of drug-related crimes and the destructive influence it can have on individuals and their loved ones. The sentencing and subsequent confiscation order highlighted the judicial system’s stance against drug offences and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their actions. It is imperative to address such criminal activities proactively to safeguard society from the detrimental consequences of illicit drug trade.