A Scots money launderer who delivered wages to gangsters has died in jail. .
Gerard McTaggart, 49, was jailed for four years and eight months in August, 2023, after being found to be part of an organisation which was targeted by Police Scotland’s Operation Escalade for over 10 years.
The Scottish Prison Service revealed that McTaggart died in HMP Edinburgh this week, on February 4.
McTaggart, of Tollcross, Glasgow, was jailed at the High Court in Lanark by judge Lord Summers after admitting being involved in serious organised crime.
Detectives first placed him under surveillance after they discovered his role in the gang was to deliver wages to other gangsters.
He was watched entering various premises which were associated with the organised crime group (OCG) and met with its members on 21 occasions.
McTaggart was regularly spotted with bags or parcels and was seen on nine occasions to exchange or drop off the items between May and October 2019.
He used different vehicles, met associates at various locations and employed counter surveillance tactics in a bid to shake off attention from cops.
The money launderer was finally arrested when he visited a plumber in Glasgow and was caught with an Asda bag containing £14,575. His mobile phone subsequently revealed various contacts, images and messages between him and members of the gang.
John Brannigan, defence advocate, said: “He pled guilty and that reflects the acceptance of Mr McTaggart of his role in this offence which he acknowledges is serious.
“He expresses shame and embarrassment for his role in organised crime and the impact it has on its victims and, from my limited dealings with him, does come across as genuine.”
Brannigan added: “This offence is something which is entirely out of character for this man and it has been a sharp shock for him because he finds himself in the High Court facing a custodial sentence and he is fully realistic about that.”
Police Scotland believe the group to still be the biggest importers of controlled drugs into the country.
Operation Escalade resulted in over 40 people being convicted for offences, including being involved in serious and organised crime, the supply and possession of drugs, firearms offences and money laundering.
Scots detectives linked up with colleagues abroad to extradite fugitives connected to the group’s activities in Europe and South America.
An SPS spokesperson said: “Gerard McTaggart, 49, of HMP Edinburgh, has died on February, 4. The matter will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal.”