36-year-old offered to supply cannabis

Police discovered the identity of a man who offered to supply Cannabis by tracing where he topped up his mobile phone, a court has heard.
By The Newsroom
Published 24th May 2016, 07:59 BST
Updated 24th May 2016, 10:01 BST

Brendan Joseph John Harkin, of Carranbane Walk, pleaded guilty to four charges of offering to supply a Class B drug between March 2014 and January 2015.

The 36-year-old also admitted simple possession of Cannabis.

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Derry Crown Court heard police seized a mobile phone from another man as part of an investigation.

This mobile was examined and two messages offering to supply Cannabis were sent from a number.

Officers traced the location of where the phone was topped up to a shop in Shantallow.

CCTV was viewed and identified the owner of the phone.

Police searched the defendant’s home and noticed a strong smell of Cannabis.

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Officers seized a small bag of Herbal Cannabis; two mobile phones; scales and a piece of paper with a phone number written on it.

This was the same number that the text messages offering to supply Cannabis had been sent from.

During police interview, Harkin gave a prepared statement in which he claimed to be a heavy user of Cannabis.

The court was told police belive Harkin is not a street dealer, but was supplying to street dealears.

It was revealed he had five previous convicitions for possessing drugs.

Judge Philip Babington adjourned sentenceing and Harkin was released on bail until tomorrow.