A 38-year-old man has appeared in court charged with possessing class A drugs valued at £39,000. He was charged with possessing class A drugs namely MDMA with intent to supply on September 25. The man was also charged with possessing the drugs on the same date, as well as a charge of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs. The defendant was also charged with resisting police on the same date.
The man, who was granted anonymity due to the general threat existing in the city, faced a number of charges. He was charged with possessing class A drugs namely MDMA with intent to supply on September 25.
A police officer connected the accused to the charges and opposed bail. He told the court that police were seeking the defendant in connection with a domestic incident. They located him in Duke's Bar in the city and he had a bag with him.
When police went to arrest him he became agitated and tried to say that the bag belonged to his friend. The defendant was then said to have tried to run away from police. Inside the bag police found 1.3kgs of what is believed to be MDMA valued at £39,000 and other drug related items including a mobile phone. A search of his home address uncovered deal bags and a vacuum packer.
The police officer said that the case involved 'a very large amount of drugs of a serious nature'. He said that there could be repercussions for the loss of the drugs and there was a risk of re-offending.
He told police he was holding the bag 'for more than a week and less than a month' due to a debt he owed. He said his fingerprints would be on the items as he had placed them in the bag.
Defence solicitor Seamus Quigley said that it could be some time before the phone would be triaged. He said his client had his own address and the fact someone had been arrested would be well known.
District Judge Barney McElholm said that the defendant did not appear 'to be at the top of the chain' but the supply of drugs required many cogs in order to operate. He said that the case was at an early stage and he felt the application was 'premature'.
Bail was refused and the defendant was remanded in custody to appear again on October 10.
The Seizure and Charges
The Defendant's Argument
The defendant told police he was holding the bag 'for more than a week and less than a month' due to a debt he owed. He said his fingerprints would be on the items as he had placed them in the bag.
Bail Refused
District Judge Barney McElholm said that the defendant did not appear 'to be at the top of the chain' but the supply of drugs required many cogs in order to operate. He said that the case was at an early stage and he felt the application was 'premature'.
The Next Steps
Bail was refused and the defendant was remanded in custody to appear again on October 10. The case will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.
A Major Blow to Drug Trafficking in Derry
This arrest and seizure represents a significant blow to drug trafficking in Derry. It is a testament to the commitment of the PSNI in combating drug-related crime and protecting the community. The police investigation is ongoing, and further developments in this case are expected in the coming weeks.
