Baillieston man jailed after US Homeland Security intercept his attempts to smuggle gun into Scotland

Craig Samson, 33, came under surveillance when US Homeland Security intercepted a suspicious package in March last year.

It was found to contain a music speaker – with a working Glock handgun hidden inside.

A package similar to the one seized was instead sent on in a bid to catch whoever wanted the deadly firearm.

A judge heard how secret recording devices were planted inside the replacement speaker.

Samson was later clocked signing for the delivery at his family home.

He was soon heard spelling out to his wife: “Quick...I think this is the G-U-N”.

Samson was also caught on camera peering into the speaker after trying to prise it open.

It emerged today that Samson got an interest in firearms after going to a shooting range on holiday in Thailand.

He had wanted a gun as a "souvenir".

His attempts at smuggling a weapon were branded 'amateurish' by his lawyer.

The Virgin rail worker was locked up after he pled guilty to attempting to import the gun into the UK without lawful authority.

Lady Stacey told him: "I accept that in Thailand you you went to a shooting range.

"But, if you had an interest in this hobby, you should have joined a club in this country."

Samson smiled to relatives as he was lead handcuffed to the cells.

American security officials had stopped a package at Newark Airport in New Jersey on March 23 last year.

The item consisted of a sub-woofer speaker with a “fully operational” Glock stashed in it.

Police in Scotland were alerted and a “placebo” package was then delivered to Samson's home.

This new parcel contained a black cinema speaker with a “compartment” that could be used to store a firearm.

Prosecutor Bill McVicar then explained: “Police obtained authority to carry out covert intrusive and directed surveillance.

“This permitted police to use covert audio and visual recording devices concealed within the speaker inside the placebo package.”