Glasgow drugs bust - Home Secretary's embarassment

Mr Ronnie Campbell, 47, a colourful Glasgow gangster , appeared on petition yesterday at Hamilton Sheriff Court with his co-accused - Michael Keelan, 46, Thomas Baird, 39, and Pamela Green, 37.

This was as a result of a police swoop on a car on the A 725 near Ronnie's house in Belshill Lanarkshire (in "Dr"John Reid's constituency)at 8pm on Monday - He was charged with the others named with being concerned in the supply of amphetamine under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

According to a Crown Office spokesman, the maximum street value of the drugs recovered is estimated at £280,000.

At a short hearing held in private, no pleas were entered were ordered and no date has been set for a further court appearance.

Ronnie's daughter Melissa married Mark the son of the Home Secretary "Dr" John Reid last year - see the lovely wedding pic at Westminster Cathedral.

Ronnie who ran a Rangers supporters pub in Tenerife for five years, returned for the wedding and has since lived in Scotland.

This has nothing to do with the discovery of cannabis found at Dr Reid's Lanarkshire home in May. At the time Assistant chief constable of Strathclyde Police, John Corrigan, said: 'The owner of the house has co-operated fully and is not suspected of having committed any crime.'

FACTS ABOUT AMPHETAMINES

Amphetamines are synthetic psychostimulant drugs, which means they speed up the workings of the brain. Long-term misuse of amphetamines can lead to serious problems including brain damage, malnutrition and psychosis.

Illegal amphetamines include ;

1. Speed (amphetamine sulphate, dexamphetamine)
2. Ice (crystal methamphetamine hydrochloride, purified methylamphetamine) – is a crystal or crystalline powder, and is a stronger form of methamphetamine. It is also known as ‘crystal meth’, ‘shabu’ or ‘glass’ ,'crank' 'tweak','tina' - it has recently been reclassified in the UK from a Class B to a Class A (unlimited fine or up to 7 years in jail ).