Ex-gangland lawyer calls for cocaine to be legal in bid to halt trade in Scotland

Daily Record

2 days ago

A former gangland lawyer says that decriminalising cocaine could deter crime gangs from getting involved in the multi million pound trade,
A former gangland lawyer says decriminalising cocaine is the only way to make the multi billion trade in Scotland less attractive to crime gangs.
James McIntyre believes such a move would free up scare police resources to tackle what he sees as more serious offences such as cyber crime and high value online fraud scams, often targeted against the elderly and other vulnerable groups.
‌
In an exclusive interview with Criminal Record - our new weekly podcast - the 68 year old said:"That's far more serious than people actually wanting to buy a bit of cocaine.
‌
"If there is a war against drugs then the authorities have lost it very badly.
"If you think you are golng to solve the drug problem in the way that America tried with the prohibition of alcohol in the 1920's and 30's then you are sadly mistaken.
"You need to decriminalise it..
"At the moment all you are doing is depriving the public of something they actually want."
During a 30 year career McIntyre was lawyer and trusted confidant to some of Scotland's most high profile underworld figures.
He has been described as the real-life Tom Hagen, the fictional "consigliere" or adviser to the Corleone mafia family in The Godfather book and movies.
‌
His previous clients include the McGovern family - six brothers known as the McGovernment because of the control they allegedly had over the Springburn area of Glasgow. McIntyre has also represented former underworld enforcer-turned-author Paul Ferris.
He added "If I want to have a glass of wine then I am not going to stop because the government says I can't.
"We are denying a fact that people want recreational drugs.
‌
"I have nothing against the gangs because all they are dolng is meeting a demand from the public
"I don't blame them for stepping into the gap."
The former criminal lawyer continued:"There is a lot of talk just now about drugs which I find to be hypocritical. " Cocaine is rife in the film, music and entertainment industry but no one ever seems to be prosecuted. "However the person who supplies them can end up in prison.
‌
"That does not seem to be fair. "Cocaine is so wide spread, it is not going to get any better. You need to decriminalise it.
"Whether you like it or not the so called so called organised crime groups are only meeting a demand from the public for drugs"
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
‌
In 1995 McIntyre represented Thomas McGovern, then 28, who was accused of shooting dead a man outside the Ashfield Bar in Springburn.
He walked free from the High Court when a key witness said he was not the man she saw do the shooting. McIntyre also represented youngest brother Paul, then 16, who was convicted in 1990 of murdering a school janitor in Springburn and sentenced to life.
A third brother Tony McGovern, was shot dead outside the New Morven bar in Balornock, Glasgow, in 2000 and James attended his funeral.
‌
In November 1997 McIntyre received a three-year sentence at the High Court in Glasgow for a firearms find at his home in Linlithgow, West Lothian which marked the end of his legal career.
The lawyer had claimed they were being held for a client who wanted them given to a police gun amnesty.
Four years earlier McIntyre was also the target of a failed underworld hit in his offices close to the High Court in Glasgow when he was stabbed several times. Though he knew the identity of his assailant he has has never given the name to police.
‌
Since his release from prison in 1999 the grandfather has used his real-life experiences to become a successful writer for TV shows like EastEnders, New City Law and Taggart. He has also written more than 80 episodes of River City, including for Frank Gallagher, who plays gangster Lenny Murdoch.
In 2023 McIntyre brought out a book on his life Jimmy Two Guns, the Life and Crimes of a Gangland Lawyer.
‌
However the man who led the fight against drugs and organised crime in Scotland for three years is against decriminalisation and he does not believe it will reduce crime. Graeme Pearson was Director General of the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency between 2004 and 2007 and is a former Labour MSP and justice spokesman.
He said:"The problem with drugs is the impact it has on the individuals health.
‌
"If you allow people to access drugs or encourage people to access drugs you are going to end up with more upset in the community and more violence because of the drugs impact on the individual. You will also have the mental health issues that come along with it.
" Decriminalisation doesn't deal with the underlying issue of drug abuse."
Mr Pearson added:"We have legal alcohol but still have bootleg booze flooding into the country because it is cheaper. "That's what criminals would do with drugs. "We have enough problems in Scottish communities with alcohol and tobacco. Who would want to legalise or decriminalise drugs?. "It's the last thing you want to introduce into your family environment."