Glasgow drug dealer led major crime gang after being freed from jail

A drug dealer headed up a serious organised crime gang after being released early from jail.

33-year old Anthony O'Hare was described as a "ringleader" of a Glasgow mob who planned to flood central Scotland with heroin and cocaine in 2018.

O'Hare was jailed for seven years in 2013 for his leading role in a £2m drugs and dirty money crew.

His love of Armani suits and expensive watches helped get himself caught.

But, he was back on the streets in 2017 – and soon returned to his old ways.

A judge heard how a large scale probe lead to him being snared again by detectives.

Two associates were also held as police seized £500,000 of heroin and cocaine.

50-year old Michael Hamilton and 40-year old William Scott had been following O'Hare's orders.

Hamilton turned to crime despite waiting for a kidney transplant at the time.

The trio now face lengthy jail-term after they appeared at the High Court in Glasgow.

O'Hare pled guilty to being concerned in the supply of both drugs, directing others to commit a serious offence as well as having £41,250 of dirty money.

Hamilton also admitted the same drug charges while Scott confessed to cocaine supply.

O'Hare and Scott were remanded in custody. Hamilton had his bail continued as sentencing was deferred until next month.

Prosecutor Chris McKenna said the case centred on "the large scale distribution" of drugs by an organised crime group based in Glasgow's east end.

Mr McKenna: "O'Hare was assessed as a ringleader having a more hands off role.

"He played a directing role in issuing instructions to Hamilton and, at least, one instruction to Scott."

The court heard hundreds of texts between them "painted a clear picture" of the large-scale drug operation.

This included details of postcodes and house numbers where consignments were to be delivered to across the country.

The only drugs seized were found in a car outside Hamilton's home in the city's Ruchazie.

Scott, of the city's Carntyne, had been involved in a delivery of cocaine in Glasgow.

O'Hare was held at home in Stepps, North Lanarkshire.

Police seized the £41,000, digital cash counting machines and phones.

The court was told he gave his job as "concrete technician".

Lady Scott deferred sentencing for reports until October 17 in Livingston.