Ex-Mr Scotland slapped with super Asbo after Encrochat messages uncovered drug trafficking ring

Former Mr Scotland Receives Super-ASBO for Drug Trafficking Involvement

John Barry McDuff, a former Mr Scotland bodybuilder, has been hit with a “super-ASBO” after being involved in a lucrative drug trafficking operation. McDuff, aged 40, was exposed when law enforcement agencies cracked the EncroChat phone network, a platform favoured by criminals. Through hacked messages, authorities uncovered McDuff’s activities and those of his associates, including discussions about drug trafficking. McDuff, who had previously won the 90kg category at the National Amateur Bodybuilding Championships in 2012, was working at a sports nutrition store in Glasgow’s west end before being sentenced to seven years in prison in September for serious organised crime involvement in 2020. Following a recent hearing at the High Court in Glasgow, prosecutors pushed for a Serious Crime Prevention Order (SCPO) to be imposed on McDuff, aimed at monitoring and addressing criminal activities post-release from prison.

During the sentencing, Lord Arthurson imposed a four-year SCPO on McDuff, who was part of the same criminal network as fellow dealer 37-year-old Paul Easdon, known as “glasgowceltic” on EncroChat. Easdon, who claimed the cartel was making £4m per month, was sentenced to six years in October after confessing to the same criminal charge as McDuff. The hacked messages exposed discussions about the trafficking of cocaine and heroin between McDuff and Easdon.

The use of EncroChat and the uncovering of McDuff’s involvement in drug trafficking highlight the increasing sophistication of criminal operations and the challenges faced by law enforcement in tackling organised crime. The imposition of a SCPO on McDuff underscores the efforts to monitor and prevent criminal activities even after individuals have served their sentence.

In the world of bodybuilding, where fitness and discipline are celebrated, it is disheartening to see someone like John Barry McDuff, who once held the title of Mr Scotland, succumb to the allure of illegal activities. This case serves as a reminder of the consequences of engaging in criminal behaviour, regardless of one’s achievements or standing in society. It also highlights the importance of ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking and organised crime to protect communities and uphold the rule of law.

Summary:
The article reports on the sentencing of former Mr Scotland bodybuilder, John Barry McDuff, for his involvement in a drug trafficking ring after messages uncovered through the EncroChat network. McDuff, who had previously won the Mr Scotland title in 2012, was sentenced to seven years in prison and received a four-year Serious Crime Prevention Order. The case sheds light on the challenges of tackling organised crime and the importance of monitoring criminals post-release. McDuff’s story serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of engaging in illegal activities, regardless of one’s past achievements.