Man accused of supplying heroin remanded in custody

Police believe the defendant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is an addict and ‘needs to sell these drugs to survive’.

The man is charged with being concerns in the supply of class A, B and C drugs between July 8 and July 12.

He is further accused of possessing drugs between April 1 and July 12 and obstructing police.

The drugs involved include heroin, fentanyl, cannabis, Xanax, diazepam and Pregabalin.

Derry Magistrate’s Court heard the defendant is on bail for other drugs offences and was banned from consuming drugs and possessing a mobile phone.

Police conducted a bail check on July 12 and observed the man acting suspiciously in his home.

Officers were invited into the defendants home and said they found a syringe and a needle in a glass of water.

Other drug paraphernalia consistent with heroin use was also allegedly found on a table, along with strips of Pregabalin and cannabis.

The defendant was searched and it is alleged police seized further drugs including fentanyl patches, Xanax, diazepam and a wrap of heroin.

It is alleged the man told police ‘he forgot he had gear on him’.

The court heard police seized mobile phones from the property and believed they were being used by the defendant.

During interview, the man admitted supplying drugs to like minded people who were addicted to opioids.

Police opposed bail for fear of further offences.

It was revealed the defendant has 33 previous convictions for drugs offences and is on bail in relation to two pending cases.

Defence counsel Sean Doherty said his client had been abstinent from drugs for a long period of time, but ‘struggled with lockdown and began using again’.

He said that the man did not make any profit from drug supply but would source and swap drugs with other like minded people.

Mr Doherty applied for his client to be released on bail with stringent conditions and a final warning.

District Judge Peter King said that the defendant’s offending history and bail history shows it is ‘extremely difficult’ for him to avoid offending due to his dependence on drugs.

He said that the man had been released on Crown Court bail and this was not enough to prevent him committing further offences.

The defendant was remanded in custody to appear in court again at a later date.