Police swooped on Stirling drug gang

Jul 20 2012 by Court Reporter, Stirling Observer Friday

A MAN who boasted “I'm a drug dealer – I make money” is behind bars.

Leigh Dobson led a lucrative cocaine dealing operation last year in the Stirling area.

The unemployed 27-year-old was joined by his brother Ryan Dobson (29) and driver Craig Cowie (23).

A judge heard that a single mum with health and money worries was also targeted to help store the drugs.

But the gang was snared when police swooped after months of surveillance – including the use of a listening bug.

Leigh Dobson, whose address was given as c/o Barlinnie; Ryan Dobson, of Almond Court, Stirling; and Cowie, of Caltrop Place, Stirling, this week admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine when they appeared at the High Court in Glasgow.

Three others joined them in the dock to admit their involvement.

All six will learn their fate when they return to court next month.

Shanti Maguire, prosecuting, said Leigh Dobson and his brother Ryan directed a cocaine dealing operation and were responsible for sourcing and funding the purchase of drugs.

She added that Cowie regularly drove both of them around in his dad's car.

Miss Maguire went on: “In a number of instances conversations were recorded in Cowie's car about people who would supply or buy cocaine.

“On July 27 last year Leigh Dobson was heard in a telephone conversation to say: 'I'm a drug dealer – I make money'.”

The court was told that 45-year-old mum Christine Wingate took delivery of drugs on behalf of the Dobsons.

Police raided her home in Springfield Road, Stirling, and seized £48,400 of cocaine.

Wingate, who had financial problems at the time, told officers she had been given £100 for “counting the drugs”.

On August 4 last year Cowie was seen to meet 23-year-old Kyle Henderson at a pub car park in Springkerse, Stirling.

A conversation was recorded which later led to £1100 of cocaine being discovered at the home Henderson shared with his grandparents in Bannockburn Road, Stirling.

Prosecutor Miss Maguire said 27-year-old car valeter Keith Fitzwater was suspected of being in possession of a large quantity of drugs on behalf of Leigh Dobson.

Fitzwater's flat in King Street, Stirling, was searched last October and £42,560 of cocaine was found.

Judge Lord Bonomy remanded the Dobson brothers in custody. The remaining co-accused were released on bail until sentencing next month.