Two businessmen who sponsored Motherwell FC through their home improvements company orchestrated a £12 million cocaine operation that funded their extravagant lifestyles, complete with Lamborghinis and Rolex watches flaunted online.
The Drug Network Exposed
David Stephen and Shaun Brown, both 30 and from Hamilton, Lanarkshire, co-owned DX Home Improvements. The company’s logo graced the sleeves of Motherwell FC kits, and it backed a family race night at Hamilton Park. Unbeknownst to the club, the men directed the purchase, distribution, and sale of 125kg of cocaine over four months, from August 18 to December 23, 2025.
The operation generated an estimated street value of £11.25 million, based on £90 per gram sales. Initially active from March to June 2020, they used the EncroChat network—later compromised by European law enforcement—for nearly 12,000 messages with 26 associates. Stephen operated as “narrowninja,” while Brown used “simplebull” and “castlenut.”
Prosecutor Alexandria Kirk detailed their involvement in handling up to 5kg batches during the early phase, cutting the drug to boost profits to £600,000. They maintained precise ledgers of cash flows and directed collections. Stephen even bought a banknote counter and cash detector from Amazon, sharing photos of stacked bills with contacts. Images of cocaine blocks also circulated among associates.
Lavish Lifestyle and Arrest
Despite financial strains noted in later messages—struggling to pay suppliers—the pair enjoyed luxury. Social media posts on TikTok and Instagram showcased first-class Emirates flights from Dubai’s Tilal Al Ghaf resort, high-end cars, and designer watches. One photo captured Stephen’s Rolex, another showed the duo in matching Lamborghinis with the caption, “Matching Lambos with my brother. Dreams come true. Grateful for this life.”
Police arrested them days before Christmas 2025. Stephen drove his £200,000 Lamborghini Urus—with Brown as passenger—after landing first-class from Dubai. Officers stopped them at a Cambuslang petrol station, seizing six phones. An encrypted group chat on Stephen’s black iPhone revealed ongoing dealings.
Sentencing and Remarks
At the High Court in Glasgow, both pleaded guilty to directing serious offenses. Lord Cubie sentenced each to six years and eight months. He remarked, “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.”
To Stephen: “Mr Stephen, you were successful beyond drug money and it is a pity you didn’t focus on this success in 2020.” To Brown: “Mr 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 lawyers Thomas Ross KC for Stephen and Brian McConnachie KC for Brown highlighted the absence of violence or firearms. Ross noted early debts as context, not mitigation, with Stephen accepting full responsibility. McConnachie explained the business launched in July 2020 with drug proceeds but later struggled, prompting a return to crime.
