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| Four years for crystal meth maker | Four years for crystal meth maker |
| (21 minutes later) | |
| A man behind what is believed to be Scotland's first illicit crystal meth laboratory has been jailed for four years. | A man behind what is believed to be Scotland's first illicit crystal meth laboratory has been jailed for four years. |
| Property developer Paul Ross, 45, admitted producing the class A drug at his home in Forres, Moray. | Property developer Paul Ross, 45, admitted producing the class A drug at his home in Forres, Moray. |
| Elgin Sheriff Court was told he was a long-standing amphetamine addict and the crystal meth was for his own use. | |
| However Sheriff Noel McPartlin said the offence was of such gravity that it was important to send a clear message. | However Sheriff Noel McPartlin said the offence was of such gravity that it was important to send a clear message. |
| The court heard Grampian Police was alerted that the father-of-one had placed orders for chemicals and equipment that could be used to produce the drug. | |
| Not tolerated | |
| Operation Ivory was launched, and a search warrant was issued in May last year. | |
| Officers spent several days examining Ross's home, and found evidence of production and possession. | |
| The court was told there was no evidence to suggest Ross had been manufacturing crystal meth for distribution. | |
| Defence counsel Paul McBride QC said the first offender was now drug free, and paid to be tested every three months. | |
| Sheriff McPartlin said there did not appear to be a market for the drug in the area, but its introduction was alarming. | |
| He said his sentence had to show it would not be tolerated. |