Police say phone evidence links Derry man to drugs supply on both sides of the border

A police officer has told Derry Magistrates’ Court there is ‘clear evidence’ that a 25-year-old man has been selling Class A and B drugs.

Aaron Moore, of Glendale Park, is currently in prison at Maghaberry, charged with dangerous driving and driving with excess alcohol on December 3.

He is further charged with, between June 1 and December 3, being in possession and concerned in the supply of Cocaine and Cannabis.

A bail application was made on behalf of the defendant on Monday, December 11, which was objected to by the PSNI.

A police officer said it has been discovered that Moore had ‘approximately fifteen people as customers on both sides of the border’.  She said the main drugs involved were Cocaine and Ecstasy and told the court that Moore ‘has other convictions in relation to supply’.

Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott said his client ‘somewhat unusually’ provided police with the names of people involved.

But the police officer said that would have been evident from his phone.  She said that based on mobile phone analysis ‘he was clearly selling drugs’, with offers of ‘ounces of Cocaine’, ‘wingers and bangers’, and ‘p’ – which police believe is in reference to ‘pure Cocaine’.

Mr MacDermott said an address was available outside of Derry and suggested ‘it could be a long time’ before a date is arranged for a preliminary enquiry.  He asked for bail to be granted subject to bail conditions, including a curfew and no mobile phone.

Addressing the motoring charges from December 3, District Judge Barney McElholm said Moore ‘shouldn’t be allowed near a public road’

The police officer said: “The video in relation to the driving is horrific.  He’s being recorded as he overtakes with the speedometer in view.”

The District Judge said ‘clear evidence’ has been taken from the defendant’s phone and told the court he could make ‘whatever conditions I like’, but believed Moore could still obtain a phone that wouldn’t be linked to him.  He said the defendant would only be found out if police caught him ‘red-handed using it’.

Refusing bail and remanding Moore in custody to appear before court again on January 8, he added: “The risk of reoffending is too high.”