Two 30-year-old businessmen from Hamilton, Lanarkshire, who co-owned DX Home Improvements—a firm that sponsored Motherwell FC jerseys—have received prison sentences for orchestrating a £12 million cocaine distribution network. David Stephen and Shaun Brown financed luxury cars, designer watches, and lavish trips through drug sales flaunted on social media.
The Drug Operation
Stephen and Brown directed the purchase, distribution, and sale of 125kg of cocaine over four months, from August 18 to December 23, 2025. This operation generated an estimated street value of £11.25 million, based on £90 per gram sales. Earlier, between March and June 2020, they handled up to 5kg, diluting it to boost profits to around £600,000.
Using the EncroChat criminal network, infiltrated by European authorities, they exchanged nearly 12,000 messages with 26 contacts. Stephen operated as “narrowninja,” while Brown used “simplebull” and “castlenut.” Messages detailed drug purchases, collections, deliveries, cutting, storage, sales, and cash handling.
Prosecutor Alexandria Kirk noted that the pair maintained precise records of their enterprise’s finances. Stephen bought a banknote counter and cash detector from Amazon in March 2020, sharing photos of stacked cash piles and cocaine blocks with associates.
Lavish Lifestyle and Legitimate Business
Despite their crimes, Stephen and Brown ran DX Home Improvements as managing directors. The company sponsored Motherwell FC sleeve logos and a family race night at Hamilton Park; organizers remained unaware of the illicit funding. One appeared on a podcast boasting business success amid ongoing dealing.
Social media posts revealed their extravagance: Stephen posed with a Rolex watch and celebrated “matching Lambos” with Brown, captioning it “Dreams come true.” They jetted first-class from Dubai’s Tilal Al Ghaf resort and drove high-end vehicles.
Arrest and Evidence
Police arrested the pair days before Christmas 2025. Stephen drove his £200,000 Lamborghini Urus—with Brown as passenger—after landing on an Emirates first-class flight from Dubai. Officers stopped them at a Cambuslang petrol station and seized six phones, including Stephen’s iPhone with encrypted group chats linking to the operation.
Later messages indicated struggles paying suppliers, yet their opulent lifestyle persisted via TikTok and Instagram.
Court Sentencing
At Glasgow’s High Court, both pleaded guilty to directing serious offenses. Lord Cubie sentenced each to six years and eight months on Wednesday.
The judge stated: “You both showed the trappings of wealth. The purchase, distribution and sale of cocaine gives rise to misery, poverty and death. This was coercive and your motivations were selfish.”
He added to Stephen: “You were successful beyond drug money and it is a pity you didn’t focus on this success in 2020.” To Brown: “You said that you were put off alcohol due to its impact, yet it didn’t stop you from peddling another form of addictive substance. The public’s interest is high in suppressing the criminal activity you were involved in.”
Defense lawyer Thomas Ross KC, for Stephen, highlighted no violence or firearms, noting initial 2020 debts as context—not mitigation—and full responsibility accepted. Brian McConnachie KC, for Brown, explained the business launched in July 2020 with drug proceeds but later faced financial woes, prompting a return to crime.
