A labourer who used Bitcoin to buy a deadly Glock pistol promised to become a “big buyer” if the weapon was sent successfully to Scotland, a court heard.
Jack Whittle, 25, purchased a Glock 17 pistol and dozens of rounds for the firearm using the cryptocurrency.
The High Court in Edinburgh heard how he asked the mystery seller to send it to his home in Buckhaven, Fife.
But the court heard how Whittle’s plans to become a repeat purchaser from the mysterious vendor were thwarted.
This was down to the efforts of a US government special agent who intercepted the gun in Buffalo, New York.
Judge Lady Poole heard how the American authorities tipped off the National Crime Agency in the UK, who created a “placebo package” to be sent to Whittle.
Plain-clothed armed police officers swooped on Whittle and took him into custody hours after the package was delivered on February 2 this year.
Police seized Whittle’s phone and found incriminating messages between Whittle and the seller of the weapon.
Mr McVicar said: “The exchange of messages began on December 23 2020.
“The accused asks what Glocks are in stock and the prices of same. The accused makes it clear that if the transaction is legitimate then he will be a big buyer in the future.
Mr McVicar said: “The exchange of messages began on December 23 2020.
“The accused asks what Glocks are in stock and the prices of same. The accused makes it clear that if the transaction is legitimate then he will be a big buyer in the future.
He added: “On January 28 2021, a US Federal Agency Special Agent was on duty in Buffalo New York.
“He inspected a parcel which contained an electrical item. In the body of the item, he found a Glock 17 pistol, a magazine compatible with the Glock and 150 rounds of 9mm parabellum calibre ammunition.
“The package was addressed to the accused and the information was shared with the Organised Crime Partnership in Scotland and the National Crime Agency and enquiries continued.”
The court heard that a “placebo package” was sent to Whittle and he was arrested by armed police shortly afterwards.
Officers then started investigating his activities. Detectives spoke to a friend of Whittle following his arrest who confirmed that he provided Bitcoin to him in return for £1200.
Police examined the weapon seized by the authorities and found that it was in “working order”.
They also found a total of 150 rounds of ammunition which were loaded with a “copper jacketed hollow point bullet” which were suitable “for discharge” from the Glock.
On Thursday, Mr McVicar told Lady Poole that officers searching Whittle’s home found quantites of cocaine and MDMA which they reckoned had a maximum street value of £5,055.
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