A labourer from Fife, jailed for using an encrypted messaging app and cryptocurrency to buy a gun, has agreed to hand over more than £22,000 to authorities.
Jack Whittle, 26, used Bitcoin to purchase a Glock 17 pistol and 150 rounds of ammunition for the firearm.
The High Court in Edinburgh heard how he asked a mystery seller based at an unknown location in America to send it to his home in Buckhaven.
Whittle contacted the seller using Telegram – an app once described by the then Home Secretary Sajid Javid as providing a “mouthpiece” for terrorists.
The court heard how Whittle’s plans to become a repeat purchaser from the mysterious vendor were thwarted.
A US government special agent intercepted the gun in Buffalo, New York, and alerted the authorities in the UK.
The National Crime Agency created a “placebo package” to be sent to Whittle.
Plain clothed armed police officers swooped and took him into custody hours after the package was delivered on February 2 this year.
Detectives found cocaine and ecstasy with a street value of £5,000 in his home.
Whittle pled guilty to breaching firearms laws and being involved in the supply of cocaine.
He was given six years in prison.
Prosecutors also launched a proceeds of crime of action against him.
On Monday, judge Lord Ericht heard how Crown lawyers and Whittle’s defence team had agreed he had made a total of £22,091 from his life of crime.
Defence advocate Janice Green told the court her client has the sum available at this time and can hand over the funds.
Lord Ericht gave Whittle six months to hand the cash over to the authorities.
