Three men have been jailed for their roles in an organised crime group operating across the north of Scotland following a major investigation involving Police Scotland and international law enforcement partners.

Jason Addison, 39, Dennis Latham, 29, and Michael Tait, 30, were sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow on Friday 12 June after previously pleading guilty to offences linked to serious organised crime.

Addison was sentenced to one year in prison, while Latham and Tait were each sentenced to three years and nine months.

The convictions form part of a wider investigation into organised criminal activity across Moray, Badenoch and other parts of northern Scotland.

The same enquiry has already resulted in the imprisonment of other members of the crime group.

Gavin Bowie, 34, was sentenced to four years and three months at the High Court in Edinburgh after admitting involvement in the trafficking of significant quantities of cannabis, cocaine and amphetamine between May 2019 and June 2020.

The offences involved addresses in Buckie as well as locations across Moray and Badenoch.

Earlier in the investigation, Conor McGregor, 33, described by prosecutors as the head of the organised crime group, was sentenced to six years in prison at the High Court in Edinburgh.

McGregor admitted involvement in the trafficking of cannabis, cocaine, diamorphine and amphetamine between May 2019 and July 2022 at locations including Moray, Aviemore and Clydebank.

He was extradited from Morocco before appearing in court in Scotland.

The convictions follow extensive work carried out under Operation Venetic, a Europe wide law enforcement operation targeting organised crime groups that used encrypted communications devices to conduct criminal activities.

Police Scotland worked alongside international partners and the National Crime Agency during the investigation.

Detective Inspector Angus Morrison said:

“Police Scotland is committed to removing illegal substances from our communities and we will take all measures to disrupt those involved in the drug trade.

“Serious and organised crime causes significant harm to our communities and this work is a priority as part of the wider approach to tackling it through the Serious and Organised Crime Taskforce.

“These men will now face the consequences of their actions.

“Information from the public is vital and we urge anyone with information or concerns about drugs in their community to contact Police Scotland through 101. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.”

Police say organised crime continues to be a priority area of enforcement, with efforts focused on disrupting criminal networks and reducing the harm caused by drug trafficking within communities across Scotland.