'Trusted associate' in drug supply operation jailed at Derry Crown Court
Stephen Mooney (39) of Forest Park in Derry admitted possessing class B drugs with intent to supply on May 17 last year. He also admitted possessing criminal property namely £17,000 in cash on the same date as well as a similar charge of possessing criminal property of £28,000
A man described in court as 'a trusted associate’ in a drug supply operation has been jailed at Derry Crown Court.
Stephen Mooney (39) of Forest Park in Derry admitted possessing class B drugs with intent to supply on May 17 last year.
He also admitted possessing criminal property namely £17,000 in cash on the same date as well as a similar charge of possessing criminal property of £28,000 on March 20 last year.
The court heard that police observed a drug transfer where a courier brought cannabis and Mooney gave him money around 6pm on May 17.
Police arrested both men at the scene and recovered drugs and £17,660 in cash.
In a separate case the court heard that cash to the value of £29,355 was found in a tool box in a vehicle driven by Mooney.
Passing sentence Judge Neil Rafferty KC said that Mooney was ‘a trusted associate’ of a drug supplier and ‘played a significant role in the commercial supply of class B drugs’.
He said Mooney had waived his pre-sentence report as he realised that a custodial sentence was inevitable.
The judge said that the financial aspect of the crime helped point towards the culpability of the defendant.
He jailed Mooney for 28 months with 14 to be served in custody and 14 on licence.