20-year-old remand on drugs charges

A man was arrested for possessing cannabis he told police there was cocaine in his bedroom and drugs valued at £3,500 was found, Derry Magistrate's Court heard today.

The 20-year-old man was granted anonymity due to the general threat existing in the city appeared facing eight drug charges.

He was charged with being concerned in the supply of cocaine and cannabis and possessing the drugs on October 31.

He was also charged with possessing cannabis and cocaine with intent to supply on September 1 this year as well as being concerned in the supply of cocaine on the same date. 

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

He told the court that police stopped a BMW car driven by the defendant and there was reported to be a strong smell of cannabis. 

The man gave police a quantity of cannabis and deal bags and mobile phone were seized. 

When police proposed to search the man's home he told police 'I am going to be honest with you there is cocaine in the top drawer in my bedroom.'

A subsequent search uncovered 35 grammes of cocaine valued at £3,500 and 29 grammes of cannabis.

Other drugs parphanalia was seized including two more mobile phones. 

The man made admissions to police and said he bought the cocaine for £3,000 intending to sell it and added he stoll owed £1,800 for the drugs.

He said he used cannabis every day and was addicted to the drug. 

The police officer said that there was a clear risk of re-offending and especially as the man owed money for the drugs and opposed bail. 

Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott said that his client had co-operated with police and made admissions. 

He said that the man had 'dealt' with the matter at the first opportunity and asked for bail with a condition that the man seek help for his issues. 

District Judge Barney McElholm said that the man had been 'very co-operative' with police but it was one thing to direct he get help and another for that to happen. 

He said that the defendant would come under pressure as he still owed money and added he felt the application was 'premature' while the phones still had to triage. 

Bail was refused and the man was remanded in custody to appear again later this month.