Supergang boss gets £22,000 legal aid

A SUPERGANG boss who lived a life of luxury abroad while flooding Scotland with drugs has cost taxpayers £22,000 in legal aid.

- RORY CASSIDY

James White, 45, nicknamed "The Don", was a senior member of a mob branded the "most sophisticated in the country which dealt in drugs, firearms, serious violence and dirty cash.

White boasted he would only return home to face justice once he had raked in more than £10million - but he was captured by Brazilian law enforcement and extradited.

At the High Court in Glasgow last month he pled guilty to being involved in serious and organised crime.

The gang operated in countries including the UK, Italy, the Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates, Russia and Brazil.

A judge heard how White lived a life of luxury funded by his mob's criminal activities. His wealth allowed him to rent a £320,000 apartment overlooking the idyllic Brazilian Praia do Meireles beach in the city of Fortaleza.

A document seen by the Record showed more than £22,000 had already been paid to White's legal representatives.