A former Dundee taxi driver has admitted hoarding thousands of pounds worth of drugs and weaponry in his city home.
Police attended at Scott Cuthill’s old home in Caldrum Street on August 11 2019 due to an unrelated incident.
Both Cuthill and his partner of 15 years, from whom he had recently split, were taken to police HQ at West Bell Street.
At this stage, no criminality was established by officers but Cuthill’s partner – the registered tenant – provided the keys to the property for police to search.
They returned to the house and found a safe, which was locked with a digital keypad, and a secured moneybox within.
They returned to the station and asked Cuthill for the code, which he refused to provide.
He told police: “This is a set up, this is a set up.”
Police eventually forced entry into the safe and found a haul of drug paraphernalia and illegal items.
Safe full of drugs and weapons
Within the safe and lockbox was a can of PAVA spray labelled “American-style NATO super-paralysing”, along with a stun gun.
From the stun gun, sparks could be both seen and heard by officers.
Both of these items are illegal in the UK unless the owners hold a firearms licence.
Police also recovered tubs and snap-bags full of amphetamines and methamphetamines, which were covered in the 57-year-old’s DNA.
In total, 184.17 grammes of drugs were seized, along with scales.
Police valued this haul as being worth between £3,680 and £5,520 and noted that from evidence they uncovered, Cuthill was selling one gram deals for £20.
Messages he sent dated back to November 2017.
Cuthill admitted being concerned in the supply of both drugs for two years.
Police also seized £3,400 in cash from the safe and cashbox and a further £795.68 from Cuthill.
At Dundee Sheriff Court, he also pled guilty to possessing two firearms.
Prison warning
Cuthill, a father, now resides in Folkestone in Kent and works as a lorry driver.
His solicitor Kevin Hampton said: “He understands the serious nature of these matters may mean he has to go to custody.”
Possession of illegal firearms and similar items can be punished with five years in prison.
Sheriff Jillian Martin-Brown ordered reports, released Cuthill on bail and deferred sentence until June 22.
A proceeds of crime hearing to establish how much dirty money The Crown will seize will be held on the same day.
She told him: “These are serious matters. A custodial sentence is definitely likely.”
