A SAUCHIE man has appeared in court accused of international heroin-dealing, following what police described as "an intelligence-led search" at an industrial estate near Stirling.

Cameron McFarlane, 53, from Sauchie, appeared at Stirling Sheriff Court on Monday charged under the Misuse of Drugs Act and was remanded in custody. He is expected to make a further appearance on petition in eight days.

His co-accused, Daniel Lavigillante, 34, from Montrose, was released on bail. 

The pair made neither plea nor declaration at a brief, private hearing before Sheriff Wyllie Robertson, and were committed for further examination.

They face a single charge, on petition, alleging that between September 25-28 at the Bandeath Industrial Estate, Throsk, near Stirling; on the B824 near Doune, Perthshire; at the Port of Hull; and in Amsterdam; they were concerned in the supply of the Class A drug. 

The petition alleges that the offence was aggravated by connection with serious organised crime. 

Lavigillante was represented by Stirling solicitor Virgil Crawford; McFarlane by Edinburgh-based solicitor-advocate John Keenan.

Police Scotland said earlier that officers from the force's Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism Unit carried out a raid on premises at the Bandeath Industrial Estate, Throsk, on Thursday, September, 28.