Glasgow man jailed for delivering ‘wages’ to gangland figures as part of money laundering scheme

A plasterer who delivered “wages” to Glasgow gangland figures and their families has been jailed for more than four years.

Gerard McTaggart, 47, took carrier bags containing thousands of pounds to several locations linked to organised crime as part of a money laundering scheme.

The High Court in Lanark heard that between May and October 2019, McTaggart was spotted by surveillance officers meeting associates from a prominent Glasgow crime group.

The organisation was being targeted as part of Police Scotland’s Operation Escalade, a long-running intelligence operation into the country’s highest-ranking organised crime groups.

McTaggart, of Glasgow, was seen carrying weighted carrier bags during 21 visits to premises connected to the group.

He subsequently admitted being involved in serious organised crime after he was arrested in October 2019 while in possession of a bag containing £14,575 in notes.

McTaggart pleaded guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh in June and was sentenced to four years and eight months behind bars at the High Court in Lanark on Monday.

Deputy Crown Agent Kenny Donnelly said: “Gerard McTaggart performed a specific function which was to deliver wages to family members of serious organised crime group nominals as part of a money laundering operation.

“He was a high-profile figure within this crime group.

“Money laundering plays an integral role in a complex, large-scale operation which facilitates the criminal activity of others.

“This successful prosecution sends out a strong message about our determination to disrupt serious organised crime.”

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Detective Chief Superintendent Vicky Watson, Police Scotland’s head of organised crime, said: “As part of one of Scotland’s most prolific crime groups, McTaggart thought he was untouchable and above the law.

“However, our officers working with partners, brought him to justice as part of Operation Escalade, which since 2014 has now seen nearly 50 people being convicted and jailed.”