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Two businessmen whose company sponsored Motherwell FC have been jailed after admitting their involvement in a major cocaine smuggling operation worth more than £11 million. David Stephen and Sean Brown, both aged 30 and from Hamilton in Lanarkshire, appeared at the High Court in Glasgow where they pleaded guilty to directing others to commit a serious offense linked to organized drug trafficking. The couple publicly presented themselves as successful businessmen through their Lanarkshire-based company DX Home Improvements, whose logo appeared on the sleeves of Motherwell shirts.

Their company also sponsored a family racing night at Hamilton Park, while one of them appeared on a podcast discussing the company’s success. Behind that photo, prosecutors said the pair were involved in buying, storing, adulterating, transporting and selling large quantities of cocaine while financing a lavish lifestyle that included luxury vacations, first-class travel, expensive watches and luxury cars including replica Lamborghinis.

EncroChat messages revealed a large-scale cocaine smuggling operation

According to details reported by BBC Scotland during court proceedings, Stephen and Brown used the encrypted phone network EncroChat to communicate with partners involved in the trafficking operation. Stephen used the handle “narrowninja”, while Brown operated under the aliases “simplebull” and “castlenut”. The two exchanged approximately 12,000 encrypted messages related to the “purchase, collection, delivery, adulteration, storage and sale” of cocaine. The original offense initially spanned between March and June 2020 and involved approximately 5kg of cocaine. Prosecutor Alexandria Kirk said the drugs were structured to be mixed with cutting agents to maximize profits, creating a potential street value of around £600,000. Further investigation later revealed that between August and December 2025, the pair directed the purchase and sale of a total of 125 kilograms of cocaine.

Prosecutors stated that the estimated market value of the 125 kg lot was about £11.25 million ($15.3 million) if sold in one-gram deals at £90 per gram. Police found photos and videos showing kilogram blocks of cocaine with various stamps, while one of the seized phones contained evidence of group conversations involving both the men and their partners. It also emerged that Stephen had sent Brown spreadsheets containing numbers, often including six-figure amounts, linked to the operation.

The lavish lifestyle continued while the business struggled financially

Despite continuing to operate DX Home Improvements publicly, letters later showed the pair were struggling financially and having difficulties paying suppliers. However, they continue to post luxury purchases and expensive trips on social media. One photo showed the pair posing next to matching Lamborghinis, while Stephen later traveled from the upscale Tal Al Ghaf resort in Dubai back to Scotland on a first-class Emirates flight shortly before the two men were arrested. Police acted on 23 December 2025 after Stephen parked his Lamborghini Urus at a petrol station in Cambuslang, Lanarkshire, with Brown traveling as a passenger. Officers seized six mobile phones from the pair, as well as videos of Stephen handling blocks of cocaine. Police also found £1,077 ($1,465) in UAE dirhams stored inside a blue Louis Vuitton bag, as well as £750 ($1,020) elsewhere in the car. Investigators also discovered that Stephen had purchased a money counting machine online to process the cash associated with the operation.

Judge says operation caused ‘misery, poverty and death’

Judge Lord Cobbe sentenced the two men to six years and eight months in prison. Addressing the couple during the sentencing, he said: “You have displayed the trappings of wealth. “The purchase, distribution and sale of cocaine leads to misery, poverty and death. “This was coercive and your motives were selfish.” The judge told Stephen it was “unfortunate” he had not focused on legitimate success through business rather than drug money, while Brown was criticized for helping distribute addictive substances despite previously claiming alcohol had negatively affected his life. Lord Coby added: “There is great public interest in suppressing the criminal activity in which you have been involved.”

Defense attorneys and police respond after sentencing

Thomas Ross KC, defending Stephen, and Brian McConachie KC, defending Brown, argued that the case lacked elements such as violence or firearms that are often associated with organized crime trials. Ross stated that debt originally contributed to Stephen’s involvement in criminal activity and said his client fully accepted responsibility. DX Home Improvements, which was founded in July 2020, was initially funded using proceeds from drug trafficking before later operating independently until financial pressures arose again, McConachie told the court. Additional police officers were called to court during the hearing after reports of suspected security concerns linked to one of the accused. Detective Inspector Gary Semple later said the case showed how police continue to use EncroChat data to target organized crime groups operating across Scotland. He said: “Those involved in this type of crime must realize that they cannot hide behind encrypted platforms to avoid detection, and our ability to detect and investigate this type of crime will only lead to further progress.” Prosecutor Sinedine Corrins of the Crown Office and Fiscal Service added: “This was a coordinated effort to facilitate the movement of large quantities of illicit and harmful drugs through Scotland.” “We are targeting all people who threaten communities across Scotland, not just drug couriers but also those who direct their movements.” The two men will now also face confiscation proceedings under proceeds of crime legislation aimed at recovering money obtained through the trafficking operation.