Northern Ireland

Derry man described in court as part of 'organised crime gang' remanded in custody

The man was remanded in custody
The man was remanded in custody The man was remanded in custody

A DERRY man described in court as part "of an organised crime gang believed to be flooding the city with drugs for some time" has been remanded in custody.

The man, who was granted anonymity due to the general threat existing in the city, faced a series of charges said to have occurred between January 1 2019 and July 5 2022, including being concerned in the supply of cocaine and cannabis, possessing criminal property and transferring criminal property and concealing criminal property.

A police officer connected the accused to the charges and opposed bail.

She told Derry Magistrates Court a phone had been seized and when police accessed it were able to identify a large number of the gang, including the defendant, who was arrested on Tuesday.

The court heard the gang were buying kilos of cannabis from "Europe and London" and paying between £5,500 and £7,500. She said money was transferred through bank accounts.

The officer said it was "clear the defendant was involved in the supply of cannabis" and he described himself as "a book-keeper", but was believed to be involved in securing safe houses and collecting money.

He was said to be in contact with the gang who are continuing to "bring large amounts of drugs into the city".

The court heard when arrested he tried to give a receipt to his partner for a payment to Wolverhampton believed to be for drugs.

Defence solicitor Maoiliosa Barr asked would it be fair to say the defendant had been caught "red-handed" and the officer said that would be correct.

The solicitor said the man had been "used".

District Judge Barney McElholm said while the investigation was ongoing, the defendant would be remanded him in custody to appear again on August 4.