Man who played 'significant role involving significant quantities of drugs' jailed at Derry Crown Court

A man described as 'playing a significant role as a middle man' in a drugs operation has been jailed at Derry Crown Court.

Bobby Morrison Smyth (31) with an address in Victoria Street in Ballymoney admitted a total of 10 charges including possessing cocaine with intent to supply and being concerned in the supply of cocaine as well as criminal property offences that occurred on dates between March and April 2020.

One of the charges related to possessing 625 grammes of cocaine.

Judge Neil Rafferty KC said this was another Encrochat case whereby the defendants were identified after encrypted messages were opened by French and Belgium police.

He said in this case and others personal details in the messages were tantamount 'to a physical fingerprint'.

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The judge said Smyth acted as a middle man in the drug enterprise but became 'a regular user' of cocaine which he said he 'loved'.

The court heard that the defendant's involvement was 'a significant role involving significant quantities of drugs' and was done for financial gain.

Judge Rafferty said that the offences 'were not a one off' and that Smyth was 'involved in a criminal organisation dealing in class A drugs for a period if time.'

He said accordingly this would be treated as a course of conduct. 

The judge said he would take into account the personal mitigation for Smyth but generally dealing in drugs attracted a custodial sentence.

He sentenced Smyth to 4 years in prison with half to be served in custody and half on licence.