Inverness man denied being cannabis dealer
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A man told police he was a user of cannabis but denied selling it - before later admitting being concerned in supply.
Police received intelligence that Michael Hamill (32) had cannabis in his property and obtained a search warrant.
When officers raided his home in Caledonian Road on May 1, 2022, he wasn't there and they were told he was travelling south.
Inverness Sheriff Court heard that the search continued and a trace was put out for Hamill.
Herbal material and other drugs paraphernalia like scales, a grinder and plastic sealed containers were found around 4pm and three hours later police located Hamill in a car park in Aviemore.
He was arrested and when charged told police he was the owner of what was found and that he was a user.
Fiscal depute Susan Love told Sheriff Eilidh Macdonald that he said he would buy in bulk on the internet from the USA.
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He denied being involved in supply and he kept the cannabis in the sealed plastic containers to hide the smell when other family members were in the house.
Ms Love added: "The total weight was 1065g and the police report values the drugs if sold in small quantities at between £8670 and £14,995."
Hamill admitted possession of the drugs with intent to supply.
Defence solicitor advocate Shahid Latif asked the sheriff to defer sentence for a background report and a drug treatment and testing order assessment, saying his client had "a difficult upbringing."
He added: "At the age of 16 he began taking alcohol which explains his previous convictions.
“He moved on to cannabis and was using up to three-and-a-half grams a day."
Hamill had his bail continued and was told to come back on June 11 for sentence.
Sheriff Macdonald told him: "I am deferring for reports but this does not mean I am not considering jail, because I am."
