Man who had 'a strap lust' £200,000 'coerced' by paramilitaries to deal drugs
The man, who was granted anonymity due to the general threat existing in the city, appeared charged with ten drug related offences
A man who claimed he was being 'coerced' by paramilitaries to deal in drugs had what a police officer described as 'a strap lust' outlining moneys owed for drug deals totaling £200,000 over the period of a month, Derry Magistrate's Court heard today.
The man, who was granted anonymity due to the general threat existing in the city, appeared charged with ten drug related offences.
He was charged with being concerned in the supply of cocaine on dates between May 6, 2023 and May 4, 2024 and three related offences.
He was also charged with possessing and converting criminal property on similar dates.
The defendant also faced charges relating to the supply of Class B drugs on July 26 this year.
A police officer connected the accused to the charges and opposed bail.
She told the court that police believed the defendant was involved in the supply of drugs in the city.
She said that there was mobile phone evidence that suggested that the defendant was involved with a cross border organised crime gang.
The officer said that in one case they believed that the defendant was involved in cannabis being posted to an address in the city which was intercepted by police.
The court heard that police initially the defendant refused to give his PIN number but police were able to access the phones and the officer said there was 'significant outstanding evidence of drug supply'.
The officer said that on July 26 the defendant was observed in the Moyola Drive area of Derry and was arrested for the supply of cocaine.
She said that the defendant told police about a sum of money but when police went there it was gone.
The defendant admitted being involved in the supply of cocaine and cannabis but claimed he was 'under pressure from paramilitaries'.
He told police he had been taken away by a gang for 19 hours and 'slapped about'.
Police challenged the man about the paramilitary claim but they did believe there was evidence he was 'under pressure' to get money in and the officer said that evidence on the phone suggested he was owed £200,000 over the period of a month.
Eventually the defendant gave police his PIN numbers.
Defence solicitor Seamus Quigley said he accepted the case was one that will trouble the court.
He said that the defendant made the case he was acting under duress and added that now the defendant had been compromised he was 'no use' to the organised crime gang.
The solicitor said that this sort of case could take years to be resolved and asked for bail 'with a raft of conditions'.
District Judge Barney McElholm said that the defendant had been police bailed in May and the gang had continued to use him.
He said that the only way to deal with the drug problem was 'to remove cogs in the chain' and this man appeared to be 'an important member of the organised crime gang.'
The judge said that it was 'premature' to consider bail at this stage while the police investigation was still ongoing.
The man was remanded in custody to appear again on August 22.