Two men caught after police discovered a £1 million illegal pill factory in a garden shed have been jailed.

John Smith, 61, and John Corrance, 29, were charged after the raid on an electrical property in Dalkeith, Midlothian, on September 12 last year.

Smith had initially been spotted outside covered in drug powder.

A judge heard how the shed was built around a large pill press embedded in the ground.

The haul seized by police was the equivalent of 1.5 million tablets of the Class C drug Bromazolam – similar to street Valium.

Corrance had earlier been linked to a sawed-off shotgun found in a designer bag in a stolen car.

The pair were sentenced by Judge Lord Arthurson at the High Court in Glasgow.

Corrance was jailed for a total of eight years after admitting to being concerned in the supply of Bromazolam as well as other charges including possession of the rifle.

Smith was jailed for three years for his role in the drug crime.

Prosecutor Lucy Adams said that when police intervened, Smith was sitting in a small fenced area of ​​the property outside the shed.

She added: “He was wearing latex gloves and was covered in white powder.”

Smith was detained at the scene.

He told the officers: “I don’t do things. I’m just here to fix the car.”

The court heard an “industrial-style” pill press was discovered, along with tubs and bags of powder and tablets.

Miss Adams also said: “A concrete mixer was found outside the shed.

“It was assessed that it was used to mix the compound from which the pills were formed.”

The prosecutor stated that “over” 200 kg of bromazolam powder and tablets were seized from the warehouse.

The maximum potential value of the total number of pills that could be produced from that shipment was more than 1 million pounds.

Forensic evidence identified both Smith and Corrance as being involved.

The court was also told how the gun was found in March 2023.

This after numerous car keys and a red Volvo were stolen from a garage in Cumbernauld, Lanarkshire.

The engine was later traced and found to have false number plates. The Volvo has been sent to be sold at auction.

A replacement key was procured for the vehicle and the Volvo was checked.

A worker at the auto auction opened the trunk and discovered a Louis Vuitton bag.

Miss Adams: “Upon lifting the boot floor, the bag moved and she noticed a rifle.”

A total of 24,000 pounds of ketamine powder was also found.

The gun was an Italian made gun, in working order and capable of firing bullets.

Forensic evidence linked Corrance to it again.

George Gebbie, defending Smith, said it was initially “naive” on his part but he “clearly regretted” his involvement.

KC David Nicholson of Corrance said: “He was caught in something that he went completely out of his depth with.”

Follow STV News on WhatsApp

Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country