A 33-year-old man has been remanded in custody after police accused him of being concerned in the supply of around £50,000 worth of drugs, at Derry Magistrate’s Court today.
During the court hearing a police officer also said that a firearm and balaclavas were found at the defendant’s address, situated just off the Buncrana Road.
David Kelly, of Maybrook Terrace, has been charged with driving while disqualified, using a vehicle without insurance or a license, taking a vehicle without authority and obstructing police on September 18 of this year.
He is further charged with possession of class B drug Cannabis on November 26, on dates unknown between June 1 and November 26 being concerned in the supply of the same drug, and dishonestly using electricity.
The court heard that guilty pleas will be entered for a number of the driving offences.
Connecting the defendant to the charges, a police officer said Kelly was in a Ford Transit van on the Springtown Road on September 18 when police requested driving documents. He told officers he had insurance, but following enquiries it was confirmed that he didn’t.
The 33-year-old was then bailed to appear at the police station on October 22, but failed to do so. Yesterday morning, November 26, police entered the defendant’s house in Maybrook Terrace on foot of warrants obtained under drugs legislation.
Police suspected he had been involved in drugs supply after examining another individual’s phone, the officer explained. When the PSNI entered Kelly’s address his young son was present, and during subsequent searches police say they found a hold-all in a dishwasher with traces of Cannabis on the base.
The police officer also said there were a large quantity of deal bags and documents related to drugs transactions that show about £50,000 worth of drugs were supplied. She said it detailed how he had been offering to sell Cannabis in ‘large amounts’ with mention of ‘bars’ and ‘ounces’.
In a shed at the rear of the property a ‘large volume of suspected drugs packaging’ was found, the officer said, which consisted of ‘very durable plastic wrapped in a large volume of duct tape’. She also explained that a firearm and balaclavas were found – but he has ‘not been charged with that at present’.
It was disclosed by the officer that phone conversations show the defendant had been acting as the ‘middle man for those higher up the chain’. Objecting to bail, she said there was a risk of reoffending ‘given the amount of money’ detailed ‘within the documents’.
Enquiries are also ongoing, and police believe there is a risk of interference with the course of justice if Kelly talks to other suspects.
Defence solicitor Colin O’Kane said his client failed to appear at the police station as he believed he had been charged with the driving offences and would be made aware of a court date. He explained that Kelly has a ‘positive bail history’ and has attended court in the past.
Addressing the drugs charges, Mr O’Kane said there was nothing in the 33-year-old’s home to suggest he had large volumes of cash or jewellery, and he was bailed in relation to the firearm and balaclavas found.
The defence solicitor said his client is now ‘four-square in the eyes of police’ and suggested bail conditions could be put in place to adequately deal with any risk. The court was also told that the 33-year-old is the primary carer for his son.
District Judge Barney McElholm said he was minded to give the PSNI time to complete its investigation. The bail application was adjourned for two weeks until December 11 when Kelly will appear by way of video link.
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