A FORMER oil worker got involved in a £200,000 cocaine deal with a stranger after hitting money troubles.

Ian Matthews, from Paisley, was seen to take part in a drugs handover with Thomas Cairns in the Tollcross area of Glasgow in July this year.

Police swooped and the cocaine was found to have a purity as high as 82 per cent.

A judge heard today that Matthews had lost his well-paid offshore job the previous year.

He now faces a jail term after he admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine.

Cairns, of Tollcross, admitted the same charge.

The pair were remanded in custody pending sentencing next month.

The High Court in Glasgow heard 37-year-old Matthews had been in an Audi car before handing a bag to Cairns, who initially had been chatting on his phone.

Cairns, 54, was stopped outside his nearby flat minutes later.

The cocaine was found wrapped in packages inside the bag.

Police seized a number of drug-related items from Cairns' home, including cash, scales and 'tick lists.'

Matthews was later held but made no comment.

Defence lawyer Jennifer Bain told the court Matthews was employed offshore from 2002 until 2017.

She added: “At the time, he was a recreational user of cocaine. He then lost his job at the downturn of the oil price.

“His habit continued, with no income to pay for it. His debt level then spiralled out of control.

“He was asked to deliver a package and he would receive a payment towards his debt.”

Lord Burns deferred sentencing for reports.