Scottish Gangster With a Violent Past Jailed for £1 Million International Cannabis Plot

A lavish lifestyle, a string of violent convictions and a major international drug operation — William Stewart’s criminal history has been laid bare after he was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison.

A Scottish gangster who helped run an international cannabis smuggling operation has been exposed as a career criminal whose record stretches back nearly two decades. William Stewart, 36, was recently jailed for his role in a sophisticated drug enterprise operating across Scotland, Europe and Asia.

But the scale of the operation was only part of the story. Prosecutors also revealed how Stewart appeared to enjoy a luxurious lifestyle, driving an expensive BMW and wearing designer clothing despite officially claiming to be unemployed.

His latest prison sentence marks another chapter in a criminal history that began when he was still a teenager — and includes several serious violent offences that previously landed him behind bars.

A Criminal Record That Began at 17

Stewart’s history with the courts dates back to 2008, when he was jailed for six years following a knife attack on a stranger in his hometown. According to court proceedings, the victim had reportedly attracted his attention for what Stewart perceived as the wrong reason.

The judge described the attack as brutal and unprovoked.

Five years later, Stewart was imprisoned again after being convicted of abducting and assaulting a police officer inside a patrol car. He received a four-year sentence for the offence, which took place after he had been released early on licence following his earlier conviction.

His violent history continued to attract attention years later. In connection with an attack at Glasgow’s Savoy nightclub in October 2021, Stewart was convicted of assaulting a 19-year-old woman to her severe injury and danger of life. The case returned him to court and added another serious offence to his record.

Despite these previous convictions, Stewart would eventually become involved in an international drug operation that investigators linked to shipments travelling thousands of miles.

The Luxury Lifestyle That Raised Questions

While investigators uncovered evidence of the drug enterprise, details of Stewart’s personal lifestyle offered another striking contrast.

The court heard that he had been living in a luxurious property in East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire, and driving a BMW X5 reportedly worth around £70,000.

His wardrobe was also said to contain clothing from high-end fashion labels, including Louis Vuitton, Balmain, Dolce & Gabbana and Christian Louboutin.

Yet Stewart was officially listed as unemployed.

Prosecutors told the High Court in Edinburgh that his lavish lifestyle had been funded by criminal activity. The contrast between his declared employment status and his apparent wealth became part of the picture presented to the court as the investigation into the organised crime operation unfolded.

Behind the expensive car and designer wardrobe, authorities were uncovering evidence of a network involved in the international movement and supply of illegal drugs.

Two Trucks, More Than £1 Million Worth of Cannabis

The investigation gathered momentum after police connected Stewart and his associates to a large shipment of cannabis being transported from Thailand towards Scotland.

Dutch authorities intercepted two trucks at the Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands. The vehicles were found to contain cannabis with an estimated potential street value exceeding £1 million.

Investigators also uncovered evidence linking Stewart to Ryan Weir, 33, from Wishaw, Lanarkshire, and Alexander Sharp, 34, from Blackburn, West Lothian.

Stewart was arrested at Glasgow Airport in July 2024. A phone seized from him contained messages that prosecutors said demonstrated his involvement in the drug-importation enterprise and his dealings with the other men.

Police subsequently searched Weir’s property, where officers discovered a hydraulic press, bags of powder, weighing scales and disposable masks. The findings formed part of the wider investigation into the operation.

Authorities also recovered cannabis within Scotland during the inquiry. The evidence presented in court showed that the operation involved more than a single shipment, with investigators tracing the movement of drugs through multiple locations and international routes.

The case illustrated how a criminal enterprise operating across borders could require coordination between law enforcement agencies in different countries before those involved were brought before the courts.

‘You Were Certainly Not a Footsoldier’

When Stewart appeared for sentencing at the High Court in Edinburgh, the judge made clear that his role in the operation was a major factor in determining the punishment.

Judge Michael O’Grady KC said Stewart had played a significant part in organising, facilitating and directing an enterprise whose reach extended beyond the United Kingdom into Europe and the Far East.

The judge indicated that Stewart was not merely a minor participant but a trusted figure involved in the organisation and importation of drugs, as well as directing others in their processing and supply.

Stewart pleaded guilty to drug offences and involvement in serious organised crime. He was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison.

His co-accused also received prison terms. Weir was sentenced to three years and nine months, while Sharp received two and a half years.

The sentences marked the culmination of an investigation that involved Scottish police working with Dutch authorities to disrupt the international operation.

What Happens Next?

Stewart’s latest conviction represents a significant development in a criminal career that began when he was a teenager and continued through multiple serious offences.

Alongside his prison sentence, the court imposed a serious crime prevention order lasting four years. The order is intended to place restrictions and reporting obligations on Stewart following his release, including requirements relating to his relationships and activities.

The case has drawn attention not only because of the value of the drugs involved, but also because of the contrast between the operation’s international reach and the seemingly luxurious life its leading figure was living.

For investigators, the seizure of the shipments and the evidence recovered from mobile phones and properties helped reveal the network behind the operation. For the court, Stewart’s senior role meant the punishment needed to reflect the scale of his involvement.

Now facing seven and a half years behind bars, Stewart must confront the consequences of a criminal history that spans nearly 20 years — one that moved from violent offences in Scotland to a drug enterprise with international connections.

Source: The Sun