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A convicted drug trafficker extradited from Dubai has been jailed for six years after investigators uncovered his role in directing a large-scale organized crime operation in Scotland.
Stephen ‘Jimmy’ Jamieson, 43, was sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow after pleading guilty to involvement in serious organized crime.Jamieson was found to have communicated with fellow gang members between March and May 2020, using the encrypted messaging platform EncroChat to coordinate drug supply and financial activity. According to prosecutors, the exchanges revealed discussions around cocaine, heroin and large sums of cash.
EncroChat messages reveal drug operations.
The court heard Jamieson operated under the username “PatrolStaff” on EncroChat — a network later infiltrated by law enforcement agencies. Messages linked to the account corresponded with his known movements and included references to media reports about his activities, as reported by the BBC News.Communications showed Jamieson working closely with Jamie Stevenson, known as “Iceman”, who is currently serving a 16-year sentence for smuggling £76m worth of cocaine into the UK.
The pair discussed drug stock, financial transactions and sums owed, including references to millions of pills and high-purity narcotics.Further exchanges detailed pricing, with cocaine offered at £40,000 per kilogram and heroin at £18,000 per kilogram. Prosecutors said the messages demonstrated Jamieson’s significant role within the network.
Links to wider organized crime figures
Jamieson was also in contact with other convicted individuals, including John Gurie and Stephen O’Donnell.
Gurie was previously jailed for cocaine supply after police recovered cash and drugs from his home, while O’Donnell received a two-year sentence for possession of criminal property.The High Court heard that Jamieson arranged financial support for associates following police intervention and coordinated the collection of large amounts of cash, described in messages as “paper”. Prosecutors estimated that several hundred thousand pounds were handled during the operation.
Arrest in Dubai and extradition
Authorities arrested Jamieson in the United Arab Emirates in September 2025 alongside other suspected organized crime figures. He was later extradited to Scotland to face charges.His travel history was also examined in court, showing multiple trips between the UK and Dubai in 2020. Messages retrieved from EncroChat included references to luxury spending, such as high-value vehicles and watches.The BBC News reported that Jamieson had previously served time for cocaine supply, having been jailed in 2009 before being released early.
Sentencing and prosecution response
During sentencing, Judge Lord Scott stated the punishment was more lenient than it might have been had Jamieson been convicted directly of drug supply offences. Defence counsel noted the case did not involve firearms or intimidation.Prosecutors described Jamieson as a “significant figure” in Scotland’s organized crime landscape. The case formed part of a wider international effort involving Police Scotland and global partners to dismantle criminal networks using encrypted communications.A Serious Crime Prevention Order has also been imposed, restricting Jamieson’s future activities. Authorities confirmed that breaching the order could result in an additional prison sentence.
Ongoing impact
Law enforcement agencies have highlighted the EncroChat operation as a breakthrough in tackling organized crime across the UK and Europe. Officials said the evidence gathered continues to support prosecutions linked to drug trafficking and criminal finance networks.The case underscores ongoing efforts to disrupt international crime groups operating across borders, with further investigations expected to follow.
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