£14m Scotland drugs gang figure John Gray unmasked after High Court conviction in Glasgow
A high-ranking gangster who admitted his involvement in a £14 million drug operation has been unmasked.
Police Scotland released an image of crime lord John Gray, 53, after he was convicted at the High Court in Glasgow today, Monday, May 18, for his involvement in a serious organized crime drug dealing gang.
Gray was part of the network run by Barry and James Gillespie who vanished in Brazil in 2019 and their whereabouts remain unknown.
Another associate, James ‘The Don’ White, took control of the gang but he was jailed for almost 10 years in 2023 for the importation of drugs having been extradited from Brazil to Scotland.
Gray was first snared by cops while meeting the trio at a variety of locations in 2015, including Glasgow city center’s Princes Square and a KFC in Wishaw, Lanarkshire.
In October of the same year, Gray was spotted having a chat with White at a café in Glasgow’s Shawlands.
Gray had been seen earlier that month meeting an associate who sold encrypted Encrochat mobile devices at a Toby Carvery car park.
The devices were later breached by French law enforcement which led to Gray’s crimes being revealed.
John Gray also spoke with ‘Big Poppa’ who was Darren Collin who was jailed for eight years in 2020 after his Encrochat device was compromised. His capture led to the seizure of £1.3 million of heroin and cocaine as well as £517,000 in cash.
Gray was seen to arrange to meet Collin in regards to a payment of £175,000 for previously supplied drugs. Prosecutor Chris Miller told the High Court the total amount of cocaine Gray was involved with ranged between £4.5 million and £13.5 million.
He was finally arrested on a warrant at Glasgow Airport in March 2026 as he stepped off a plane and has been in custody ever since.
Gray, of Paisley, Renfrewshire, pleaded guilty to being involved in serious organized crime. The charges span between August 2015 and June 2020.
Sentence was deferred pending background reports until next month by Judge Lord Cubie.
Detective Superintendent Steven Elliot said criminals like Gray will not be allowed to ‘profit from misery.’
He said: "Police Scotland will not allow criminals and organized crime groups to profit from other people’s misery. This operation undoubtedly caused disruption to a significant supply of illegal drugs. Gray’s conviction underlines our commitment to the Serious Organized Crime Taskforce and the country’s Serious Organized Crime Strategy. We know that individuals and communities are deeply affected by the drugs trade and do not tolerate the harm it brings. Information from the public is vital and we urge anyone with information or concerns about drugs in their community to contact Police Scotland through 101. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained."
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