A MAN described by police as "a significant member of an organised crime gang" involved in the importation of drugs into the north has appeared in court.
Blaine Curtis (25), with an address at Drumitoland in St Johnston, Co Donegal faced a total of five charges at Derry magistrates' court.
They include conspiring to supply cannabis valued at £120,000, conspiring to supply cocaine and converting criminal property.
They relate to dates in August last year and June this year.
An officer told the court that police believed a gang was laundering the proceeds from the drugs by buying luxury cars and other high value items like jewellery.
She said that so far in the course of the investigation 17 people had been arrested and charged. The court heard that police believed Curtis to be a significant member of the gang.
Police opposed bail on the grounds of interference with witnesses and the fact that they believed there was still a lot of property to be recovered. They also feared there could be further offences committed by Curtis.
Defence solicitor Ruarai Muldoon said his client had been in England and had voluntarily returned to Derry but the police officer said that Curtis was aware that police were actively seeking him.
Deputy District Judge John Connolly said there was a fear of flight and interference with witnesses and said in this day and age it was easy to get to England.
He refused bail and remanded Curtis in custody to appear again on July 27.
