Edinburgh crime: Drug dealer caught with £100,000 of cannabis and £50k in cash at flat faces lengthy jail term

Cannabis found in flat with estimated value between £65,000 and £121,000

An Edinburgh drug dealer who was caught with more than £100,000 of cannabis and £50,000 in cash strewn around his home is facing a lengthy jail term.

Craig Murray, 40, was found with several large vacuum-packed bags of the Class B drug when police turned up at his first floor flat at around 7pm on October 15, 2021.

Edinburgh Sheriff Court was told officers attended at the property at the capital’s Moat Street on an “unrelated matter” and were met at the door by Murray’s girlfriend Rogie McArthur.

Craig Murray, 40, was found with several large vacuum-packed bags of the Class B drug when police turned up at his first floor flat at around 7pm on October 15, 2021.

Prosector Connor Muir said the constables identified themselves and told Ms McArthur they had to enter the property “to ensure the safety of all the occupants”.

Mr Connor said: “Mr Murray was present at that time. On entering they noticed several large vacuum bags of herbal matter within the kitchen, bedroom and living room. Both were arrested and a number of items were seized including a laptop and an address and label-maker. The accused was cautioned and arrested and made no reply.”

The fiscal depute told the court the total weight of of the cannabis found in the flat was 9.1kilograms and the estimated value was between £65,000 and £121,000.

Mr Muir added: “The Crown is moving for forfeiture of the labels on the indictment, and also a quantity of cash that was also seized and does not appear on the indictment. There was a quantity of £24,000 and a separate quantity of £30,495.”

Murray, of Pilton, Edinburgh, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of a controlled drug, namely cannabis, at Moat Street, Edinburgh on October 15, 2021.

Co-accused Ms McArthur, 29, had her not guilty plea to the same offence accept by the Crown and she walked free from the dock during the court hearing on Monday.

Advocate Colin Neilson, defending, said his client “had no issue with the forfeiture” of the cash and has one previous conviction at JP Court level.Mr Neilson said: “Mr Murray has never been to prison before and Your Lordship will require reports.“While given the quantity of cannabis found and its value then all options will be open and indeed a custodial sentence will be likely.”The advocate added self-employed Murray has been on bail with no issues since his arrest two years ago and that he currently lives alone but is still in a relationship with Ms McArthur.Sheriff Donald Corke said he was granting the Crown motion for forfeiture and released Murray on bail pending sentencing in December.