A CAR wash owner from North Ayrshire got involved in a potential £50 million cocaine operation - to pay his £400 rent.

John Jackson helped organise a massive shipment from China of a substance used to bulk out drugs and boost profits for dealers.

But, police were alerted and undercover officers instead delivered the load to the 33-year-old in August 2019.

After Jackson and two friends stuffed the 250kg of Benzocaine into a garden shed, detectives swooped at his home in Barrmill, near Beith.

Prosecutor Shanti Maguire revealed the potentially huge scale of drug trafficking Jackson was part of.

She told the High Court in Glasgow the consignment of the mixing agent could be used to make at least 500kg of cocaine.

This could bring in £25 million by selling 500,000 one gram deals of the drug at 40 per cent pure.

But, the advocate depute added: "If sold...as perceived good quality cocaine at 70 per cent plus purity, this price could double to £50 million.

"Officers concluded Jackson was involved in the supply of cocaine from the recovery of the significant quality of Benzocaine."

Jackson - who admitted being a "mug" - now faces a lengthy jail term.

He pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine.

The court heard how Air Sea Scotland learned of a shipment due to arrive at Glasgow Airport on August 19, 2019.

The £720 handling fees were paid from a bank account in Jackson's name.

The delivery address was marked as an industrial unit in Glengarnock.

Border Force officers, police and the National Crime Agency were suspicious of the load and aware of the potentially criminal use of Benzocaine.

Detectives then posed as Air Sea Scotland staff to hand over the haul to Jackson.

They went on to meet him and two friends standing beside a Volkswagen Golf near to the industrial estate.

Jackson claimed to be called "Andrew", and signed for the delivery before he helped pack the bags into the boot of the car.

Jackson then raced off at "high speed" - but he was tracked to his home in McHardy Crescent, Barrmill.

The car valet and his two friends were clocked lifting the heavy sacks into a shed next door.

Police soon made their move and went on to discover the Benzocaine in the wooden hut.

Miss Maguire said the amount of drugs the substance could make "indicates a connection to crime at a substantial level".

Jackson's lawyer told the court the dad had been used as a "safe house" for the Benzocaine.

Callum Hiller, defending, added: "He has no direct involvement with the cocaine itself.

"He was the 'mug' as he puts it. He was holding the Benzocaine in the shed for its onward transmission.

"He had been in rent arrears for two months and that was cleared as a result of this.

"The arrears were £400 - so there is quite a stark difference (to the potential value of the drugs)."

Judge Alison Stirling continued bail for Jackson as sentencing was deferred for reports until April 13 in Edinburgh.