An unemployed plumber who claimed he moved to Aberdeen to sell handbags began controlling a "significant" drug dealing operation.

Mark Simpson was jailed after police recovered £100,000 of heroin and crack cocaine in a raid.

Two drug runners in the gang - Steve Vidgen and Lee Wallace - also received jail terms. They had been paid in drugs and free property by their suppliers.

Simpson, 47, claimed he had originally moved to the area from London to sell handbags, before making the "foolish decision" to get involved in organised crime.

The three men were arrested at Hutcheon Court in Aberdeen. Robert Bell, 62, was caught bringing drugs to the property at the same time as the raid and was also arrested. He was previously jailed for six years.

At the High Court in Glasgow on Tuesday, Simpson was sentenced to eight and a half years in jail after admitting being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack, charges aggravated by connection with serious organised crime.

The court heard Simpson organised safe houses to store drugs, as well as "giving instructions" to others involved. Vidgen and Wallace were caught on CCTV moving drugs between safe houses.

Police Scotland said the case was linked to the criminal practice of 'cuckooing', where urban drug gangs take over the lives and properties of people, who are often vulnerable, to traffic illicit substances.

Vidgen, 38, received a sentence of six and a half years, while 39-year-old Wallace was jailed for five and a half.

Lord Burns told the trio: "You all acted in varying degrees in a significant drugs operation in Aberdeen.

The judge described the quantity of cocaine and heroin recovered as "substantial", which provided a "snapshot" into the scale of the operation.

After the sentencing, Detective Inspector Allen Shaw said: "We will continue to target those who exploit vulnerable people and use their homes to store or deal drugs, known as 'cuckooing'.

"We are urging people to be aware of the warning signs that such activity may be happening in your neighbourhood and report any concerns to us.

"In particular you may have noticed new associates or increased visitors at a particular house, or an increased number of vehicles outside a property including taxis or hire cars. If something doesn't feel right it probably isn't so report it to us and let us have the opportunity to take action."