A CUMNOCK drug dealer was caught with a stash of heroin and thousands of pills in a bedside cabinet after police searched his home as part of a missing person enquiry.

James Reid pleaded guilty to possessing more than £8,000 worth of class A diamorphine and class C etizolam when he appeared for a pre-trial hearing at Ayr Sheriff Court.

The 43-year-old awaits sentence after police discovered the haul in the bedroom of his Cairnscadden Road property on May 2 and May 3 last year.

A not guilty plea to the same charges by co-accused David Sutherland, 23, was accepted by prosecutors, and he was allowed to leave the dock.

A procurator fiscal depute told the court: "He [Reid] appeared from custody on May 5, entered no plea and was continued for further examination.

"At 6.10am police witnesses on uniform duty attended the locus regarding a missing person.

"They were allowed access and searched a drawer to assist the missing person enquiry.

"In the open drawer of the bedside cabinet was brown powder and blue tablets.

"At 7.05am the accused returned to the locus.

"He was arrested on contravention of the Misuse of Drugs Act and made no reply."

The fiscal depute added: "A warrant was obtained. At 1.30pm the search was concluded and he was cautioned and charged for the offence.

"He intimated confirmation he was the owner and Mr Sutherland was not involved."

In total 96.4g of diamorphine was recovered along with 8,416 etizolam pills.

The fiscal depute said the total estimated value of both drugs was more than £8,000.

Sheriff Shirley Foran deferred sentencing for criminal justice social work reports to be completed.

Bail was continued and Reid will return to court at a later date.