Moray man handed package in Aberdeen was found carrying £16k from ‘illicit drugs trade’

A man who was caught with more than £16,000 of cash deemed the proceeds of crime has been ordered to carry out unpaid work.

Ross Reid, of Woodlands Drive in Lhanbryde, was stopped by police in Keith on January 26, 2023, after officers witnessed him being handed a package in Aberdeen.

The package was found to contain £16,230 made from the “illicit drugs trade”.

The 27-year-old pleaded guilty to acquiring and possessing criminal property at Inverness Sheriff Court.

Sheriff Ian Cruickshank ordered him to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work to be completed within 12 months as a direct alternative to a custodial sentence.

Reid’s defence solicitor said: “He’s a first offender with no prior convictions.

“At the time of his offence he was in a spiral of addiction and has now addressed that.”