A drugs trafficker who set himself up as a counter-surveillance expert for gangsters has had his prison sentence doubled.
Ian Sweeney was caged for two years at the High Court in Glasgow last year after admitting his role helping some of the country’s serious organised crime gangs.
Sweeney’s crimes were exposed when police discovered he was using the handle “Bug-sweep” on the EncroChat messaging platform and was in contact with over 100 members of organised crime groups.
The 53-year-old amassed a fortune by advising crime gangs and supplying them with equipment which allowed them to sweep their cars, homes and business premises for police bugs.
He also taught them how they could customise their vehicles to include “hides” – hidden compartments where drugs and guns could be stored to be smuggled into the country or transported without detection.
He pleaded guilty to being involved in serious organised crime and being concerned in the supply of controlled drugs, including cocaine and cannabis, between March and May 2020.
Prosecutors from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service argued the 53-year-old’s sentence was too short.
The Appeal Court upheld the Crown’s appeal and Sweeney’s original sentence of two years was quashed
Sweeney was instead sentenced to five years and six months in prison.
Kenny Donnelly, Deputy Crown Agent for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, said: “COPFS is committed to protecting communities from the blight of serious organised crime and drug trafficking.
“Prosecutors have a responsibility in legislation to consider appeals based upon undue leniency in sentencing. Such appeals are rare but important to ensure the public interest is properly served.
“They allow the court to review sentences that the Crown believes fall outside the range of punishment reasonably considered appropriate.
“COPFS believes that it is important that the harm caused to communities by serious organised crime, and the culpability of the convicted person, must be consistently reflected in sentencing decisions.”
Sweeney was made subject of a Serious Crime Prevention Order in December 2024. This will be in place for four years after his release from prison.
The order imposes significant and stringent restrictions on his activities after he is released from prison and is designed to protect the public and prevent Sweeney from returning to crime.
He will be required to notify the police of his movements and restrict his use of communication devices and anti-surveillance technical equipment.
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