Police watched cocaine handover in car park

POLICE officers in an unmarked vehicle watched as a drugs handover took place in a Musselburgh car park.

A man walking his dog was seen to collect a number of items from another male in a car and put them into his jacket.

As he walked away, the officers approached him, but when they identified themselves, he ran off. He was caught after a short chase.

The man, James Reilly, 23, was taken to Dalkeith Police Station and found to be in possession of 248 grams of cocaine with a street value of £12,400.

Reilly, of Bingham Place, Edinburgh, pleaded guilty at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today to being concerned in the supply of the drug in the car park behind Pinkie Farm Shop in Pinkie Road, Musselburgh, on February 1 this year.

Thomas Crease, 45, a prisoner in Saughton, pleaded guilty to the same charge. Crease was the man in the car and was arrested after other officers used their vehicle to block his exit from the car park.

Crease also admitted committing the offence while subject to two bail orders.

Sentence was deferred on both men for background reports. Crease was remanded in custody and Reilly allowed bail.