A DRUG pusher was caught with nearly 2,000 so-called 'street valium' tablets at Greenock West Railway Station.

John McCutcheon had two knotted plastic bags filled with the etizolam pills when police moved in on him late at night.

McCutcheon, 32, is today beginning a prison sentence after pleading guilty to being concerned in the supply of the drug.

The dad-of-one was first arrested more than two years ago for the offence but has failed to turn up at court on a number of occasions.

Prosecutor Lindy Scaife said: "Police on uniformed mobile patrol saw the accused and an associate making their way into the station.

"Both appeared to be heavily under the influence and officers approached them and detained them for the purposes of a search.

"The accused produced a knotted plastic bag containing a quantity of tablets from a jacket pocket.

"He then stated, 'I might as well give you these as well' and he produced another knotted plastic bag."

Greenock Sheriff Court heard that police recovered a total of 1,828 tablets — each with a value of between 50p and £1.

McCutcheon was on two bail orders regarding other criminal matters at the time of the offence on October 13, 2017.

A warrant had been issued for his arrest on the drugs charge and he was finally remanded in custody on the matter last month.

Defence lawyer Edward Sweeney said: "His position now is that he is drug free and has been for a significant period of time.

"His position is that he came to acquire the drugs for his own use but had both bags.

"He denies that he had any commercial intention."

Sheriff Daniel Kelly told McCutcheon: "Standing the nature of the offence, your record and the fact that you were subject to two bail orders at the time, I consider that custody is the only appropriate disposal."

McCutcheon, whose address was not given in court, was sentenced to seven months imprisonment.