A CONVICTED drug trafficker who returned to crime having been freed from jail is back behind bars.

Paul Hardie was locked up for five years and four months at the High Court in Glasgow.

The 30-year-old was spotted involved in a drugs handover near his home in Cranhill last year on November 7.

Police initially discovered a haul of heroin and street valium tablets.

The hearing was told cocaine and more illegal pills were seized at his home - this included being stashed in a sports shoe box.

The class A, B and C drug haul had a total potential value of around £400,000.

Hardie had previously been jailed at the same court for similar offences.

His lawyer told the latest hearing that Hardie had been freed in 2020 and had initially moved back with his family.

He was later "approached" by others linked to the earlier drugs case to carry out further "work" for them.

Brian McConnachie KC, defending, said: "He became involved in a handover and had been storing a quantity of drugs overnight on behalf of these people.

"His hope - upon his eventual release - is that he can move away from the area completely."

Hardie pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of heroin, cocaine, street Valium and another drug called Bromazolam.

Lord Mulholland said the jail-term would have been eight years, but for the guilty plea.

The judge told Hardie: "You know the price you pay for trafficking controlled drugs.

"You have learned nothing from your previous incarceration.

"You are about to again pay a heavy price."