A drug dealer who bragged to customers he was a “one stop cannabis shop” was caught after his illicit packages were intercepted by Post Office staff.

Employees at the Bridge of Earn Co-op raised the alarm when they detected a suspicious smell coming from parcels linked to local man Steven Lorimer.

Police seized the deliveries and found hundreds of pounds worth of cannabis and sweets laced with THC, a cannabis metabolite.

Lorimer appeared at Perth Sheriff Court and admitted being concerned in the supply of class B drugs at the Co-op at his home in Smillie Place, Bridge of Earn, on various occasions between January 7 and 9 2021.

He was jailed for five months.

The court heard that the 33-year-old had “fallen into his old ways” after being released from a 39-month sentence for dealing cannabis in St Madoes in 2018.

At that time, he was caught red handed when – during a police raid on his home – a postie arrived with a delivery of cannabis.

Packages seized

Fiscal depute Sam Craib told the court officers recovered about £1,500 worth of products containing tetrahydrocannabinol, including confectionary.

Around £80 of cannabis was also seized.

Solicitor Billy Somerville said: “He accepts that he has fallen back into his old ways, although fortunately in this case it is a summary – not a solemn – complaint.

“As the court can see from his record, he is someone who becomes involved in this type of activity.

“He just wishes for the matter to be over.

“He has not been working because of this.

“He didn’t want to start employment with this hanging over him.”

Sheriff David Hall told Lorimer: “I will give you some credit for pleading guilty on the morning of the trial but you clearly have analogous convictions for this sort of offending.

“To my mind, there is no alternative to a custodial sentence.

Prosecutors accepted a not guilty plea from Lorimer’s co-accused, his 37-year-old partner Andrea Rodrigues.

Criminal history

In June 2018, police swooped on Lorimer’s then home in Philip Redford Court, St Madoes, after a package containing cannabis was intercepted by postal staff.

Cannabis in various forms and quantities was found throughout the house.

While the officers were searching the property a postman came and delivered a package addressed to Lorimer. It was searched and found to contain further cannabis.

Mobile phones were seized and in one message, Lorimer bragged he had: “£1,200 burning a hole in his pocket.”

He also sent messages offering a “menu” of different forms of cannabis and a price list as well advertising himself as a “one-stop shop.”

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