Evidence gathered by prosecutors showed how John Gray, 53, of Paisley, played a key role in the widespread operation over the course of five years, alongside other high-profile gangland nominals.

These included James White, originally of Glasgow, who was jailed for almost 10 years in 2023 for the importation of drugs, having been extradited from Brazil to Scotland.

Gray’s downfall began after police uncovered messages from him to associates on Encrochat, the encrypted communications platform favoured by criminals.

The messages included discussions about drug deals involving cocaine, cannabis and heroin.

He was arrested at Glasgow Airport in March this year as part of Police Scotland’s Operation Escalade after returning to Scotland on a flight from Dubai.

He was sentenced to five years 10 months in prison at the High Court in Glasgow on Friday after admitting to being involved in serious organised crime between August 2015 and June 2020.

He was also made subject of a serious crime prevention order which will take effect for three years following his release and is designed to deter him from re-offending.

Prosecutor Sineidin Corrins said: “This is a significant prosecution of an individual who was a high-ranking member of a serious organised crime gang. John Gray had an integral role in a co-ordinated operation to traffic quantities of illegal and harmful drugs on an industrial scale.

“But he is now serving a lengthy prison sentence thanks to an extensive police operation, working with COPFS, to investigate a network of drug supply. 

“I hope this conviction sends a strong message to others involved in this kind of criminal behaviour and demonstrates the ability of police and prosecutors to investigate, prepare and prosecute serious and organised crime of this nature.”