Drug lord came north ‘to sell bags’
A JOBLESS plumber who claimed he moved to Aberdeen to sell handbags ended up controlling a drugs empire.
Mark Simpson was jailed for eight-and-a-half years yesterday after £100,000 of heroin and crack cocaine was recovered in a raid in the city.
Simpson, 47, claimed he had moved to the area from his home in Grove Green, London, to sell handbags and beauty products, before making the “foolish decision” to get involved in drug dealing.
Robert Bell, 62, was caught bringing drugs to the property at the same time as the raid and was also arrested. He was previously jailed for six years.
At the High Court in Glasgow yesterday, Simpson was jailed after admitting supplying heroin and crack, charges aggravated by connection with serious organised crime.
The court heard Simpson organised safe houses to store drugs, as well as “giving instructions” to others.
Two runners in the gang – Steve Vidgen and Lee Wallace, both from Aberdeen – were paid in drugs and free property.
Vidgen, 38, received a six-and-a-half-year sentence while Wallace, 39, was jailed for five-and-a-half years.
Lord Burns told the trio: “You distributed drugs over a period of time, which involved operating safe houses. It was all controlled by Mr Simpson.”
He told Simpson: “You deny responsibility but you played a significant part.”
Charles Ferguson, defending Simpson, said his client “had never been involved in any trouble like this”, adding: “He is terrified by the prospect of a custodial sentence.”
Outside court, Detective Inspector Allen Shaw said: “We will continue to target those who exploit vulnerable people.”