The conviction of two men for drug offences in Barrhead and nearby communities proves nobody is "untouchable", said police.

At the High Court in Glasgow today, Gary Jamieson, 34, and John Mack, 33, pleaded guilty to drugs and serious and organised crime offences after raids found almost 850,000 "fake valium" tablets.

A police operation in January 2019 focused on Jamieson and Mack heading up the manufacture and distribution of the controlled drug throughout Scotland.

There were searches of addresses in Barrhead, Nitshill, Pollok and Paisley where they recovered 836,000 Etizolam tablets with an estimated street value of £420,000.

Mack was arrested in September 2019 and Jamieson in December.

Jamieson, listed as a prisoner in Barlinnie, admitted being concerned in the supply of the class C drug at Divernia Way, Barrhead, Garry Drive, Paisley, Brock Oval, Glasgow, and Whitehaugh Road, Glasgow, and elsewhere between February 27 and December 23, 2019.

Mack, of Kaim Drive, Priesthill, also admitted being concerned in the supply of Etizolam at Brock Oval, Garry Drive, Whitehaugh Road and elsewhere on April 11 and December 23, 2019.

Lord Mulholland deferred sentencing until May 13 while reports are prepared. Both men were remanded in custody.

Detective Inspector Craig McPhail, of Glasgow's serious and organised crime squad, said: “We would like to send a clear message to anyone who is involved in the supply of drugs onto the streets of Scotland that you cannot expect to profit from other people’s misery and get away with it. No-one is untouchable.

“Tackling serious and organised crime remains one of our key priorities. Drug supply causes so much misery in our communities, so we will continue to target organised crime groups at all levels and protect those communities affected and make our streets hostile places for such criminality.

“We rely on information from the public. They have a vital role to play in helping us remove drugs and drug dealers from our streets."

He added: "Much of our positive action depends on local people passing on information, so keep doing this and we will continue to disrupt these criminals. You can pass on information by phoning 101, or anonymously via Crimestoppers, where anonymity can be maintained.”