A GREENOCK cocaine dealer who was caught with nearly £40,000 in cash and drugs has been jailed for two years.
Francis Quinn was told by a sheriff that a custodial sentence was ‘inevitable’ due to the quantities involved.
Quinn, 43, had £6,200 worth of cocaine and amphetamine valued at £18,900 in his drug den flat when police raided it.
Officers recovered bundles of money totalling £14,124 in the swoop on the property on Killearn Road — making an overall haul amounting to £39,224.
Defence lawyer Aidan Gallagher told Greenock Sheriff Court:
“He is ashamed.
“His family is here in support of him, and that support will continue throughout his period in custody.”
Police had forced their way in to Quinn’s flat as part of an intelligence-led operation on January 10.

He pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of the drugs.

Solicitor Mr Gallagher said: “His position is that the drugs were purchased by him and friends and were stored in his flat.
“He has worked all of his adult life but he has had difficulties with drugs throughout that period, starting in his mid-teens.
“His incarceration means that he no longer has access to controlled substances, which he sees as an opportunity, albeit an enforced one, to build a drug free future for himself.”
Mr Gallagher added: “Mr Quinn’s other convictions are non-analogous, they are dated, and also at summary level.
“It is unfortunate that he has reached his mid-40s and he faces incarceration, which he accepts is of his own making.”
Sheriff David Hall told Quinn that he would have sentenced him to 32 months imprisonment had he not pleaded guilty.
The sheriff said: “These are serious matters involving large quantities of cocaine and amphetamine.

“A custodial sentence in your case is inevitable given the amount of drugs.”

The two-year jail term has been backdated to September 19, when Quinn was remanded in custody.
A proceeds of crime hearing is due to take place on November 21.