Alleged 'principal' crime gang member refused bail at Derry court

A Derry man alleged to be a "principal" member of an organised crime gang has been refused bail at the city's Magistrates Court.

Declan Gallagher (32), with an address in the Greater Manchester area in England, has been in custody since being charged with a number of drugs offences.

He faces a total of 17 charges linked to the discovery of £2.1 million worth of cocaine and cannabis in Northern Ireland between September 2013 and October last year.

Objecting to bail during a video-link hearing at Derry Magistrates Court this morning, a PSNI officer described Gallagher as the "principal" member of the crime gang with contacts throughout Europe.

The court was told police regarded Gallagher as a "flight risk."

He was remanded in custody to appear in court again on 9 April next.