A man convicted in a major drugs case has been ordered to surrender a high-value collection of wristwatches as part of a civil recovery action. The High Court in Edinburgh today approved confiscation moves that will force the sale of luxury timepieces and other assets linked to alleged criminal gains.
Court confirms assets identified for seizure
The court heard that Connor Murray — in his early 30s and already serving a multi-year prison sentence for drugs and firearms offences — has been assessed as having benefited by roughly £500,000 from criminal activity. Prosecutors told the judge that more than £260,000 in assets can be made available to satisfy a confiscation order.
Most of that figure is held in cash seized by police in Scotland and Northern Ireland. In addition, prosecutors included a number of luxury watches in the list of recoverable property.
- Gold Rolex Sky‑Dweller — estimated around £41,550
- Three additional Rolex watches — combined estimate approximately £47,500
- Rolex Sky‑Dweller (another model) — about £17,000
- Rolex Submariner — about £15,000
- Rolex GMT — about £15,000
Taken together, the watch collection is valued at more than £100,000. The Crown told the court that if auction or sale proceeds fall short of the estimates, the final confiscation figure will be adjusted to reflect the actual amounts realised.
Orders affecting the wider family estate
Lady Drummond approved a confiscation order against Murray. She also issued a separate order against his father, James Murray, for £150,000, stating those funds are to be met from property held in his name.
The father and son were jailed after admitting involvement in the supply of cocaine connected to an incident in Bishopton on 21 March 2024. Sentencing records show both received custodial terms linked to drug supply; Connor also admitted illegal possession of a handgun and possession of criminal property described by prosecutors as “dirty money.”
Police recovered around 1.8kg of cocaine during the investigation, with an estimated street value of up to £149,000.
Why this matters now
Today’s orders illustrate the use of civil confiscation powers to strip criminals of expensive assets and return value to the public purse. Beyond the immediate financial impact, high‑profile recoveries of luxury items act as a deterrent and signal that illicit profits can be traced and reclaimed.
For victims of organised criminal activity and communities affected by drugs, successful asset recovery can fund services and reinforce public confidence in enforcement — though the process depends on accurate valuation and the practicalities of selling specialist goods such as rare watches.
As the case proceeds to the asset‑realisation stage, any shortfall between estimated and actual sale prices will be reflected in the final confiscation orders, the court was told.
Hi, I’m Benjamin, a member of the Sherburne County Citizen team. With a passion for writing and a deep interest in current affairs, I thoroughly enjoy bringing you the latest news and trends that affect our daily lives.
