A drug dealer who set up a cocaine warehouse with the help of a "besotted" employee in a local authority's legal department was yesterday jailed for more than seven years.

Co-accused Claire Feely, who used her council job to steal someone's identity and rent a flat in Glasgow which was used by then boyfriend Derek Morrison, was jailed for 14 months.

They were caught after an undercover operation by the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency (SCDEA) which also netted 16 kilograms of cocaine with a street price of £800,000.

Two others were also arrested as a result of Operation Intrepid and at the High Court in Edinburgh yesterday, they were sent to prison.

Judge Lord Kinclaven told them it was the duty of the court to mark the seriousness of their offences and deter others.

Earlier the court heard how Feely, 32, of Erskinefauld Road, Linwood, Paisley, had worked for Renfrewshire Council since leaving school.

She betrayed her bosses by "stealing" data to set up a bogus identity and rent a flat in Muirpark Street, Glasgow.

The flat, later described by police as "a cocaine warehouse" was sub-let to car dealer Morrison, 31, for an extra £150 a month, on top of the rent she was paying.

Feely "turned a blind eye" when she found Morrison, of Castlebank Street, Glasgow, was using it as a base for drug dealing, the court heard.

Solicitor advocate Billy Lavelle described Feely as naive and easily led. "She describes herself as besotted with Morrison. She put him on a pedestal," said the lawyer.

The court heard that police were tipped off and they began keeping a close watch on Morrison and his associates.

They finally pounced in August last year after tailing Morrison as he drove to addresses linked to student Nikolas Guit, 32, and co-accused David Burke, 35.

Morrison, Feely, Guit, of Sheila Street, Glasgow; and Burke, of Mossvale Square, Craigend, Glasgow, all admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine at various addresses and for varying lengths of time.

Morrison was given the longest sentence, a jail term of seven-and-a-half years.

Guit was jailed for 16 months for his one day involvement and Burke was jailed for four years. Lawyers for the pair said they were selling drugs to fund their habits.

Lord Kinclaven turned down a plea, backed by testimonials from colleagues and employers, not to jail first-time offender Feely.

"This case, like many others in these courts, illustrates the tragic personal and life changing consequences that affect those concerned in the supply of Class A drugs," the judge said.

Afterwards, Detective Chief Inspector Alan Cunningham of the SCDEA promised to tackle cocaine suppliers and their networks "to protect the people of Scotland from this insidious trade". He added: "Recently dealers have been targeting more affluent areas. We will dismantle these networks no matter where set up. If people are ethically and morally aware of the impact of their lifestyle choices, they'll never take cocaine."