Man allegedly found with frying pan full of drugs

The man, who cannot be named as a result of the order, faces a total of 25 offences allegedly committed between February 2017 and March 13, this year.

The charges include being concerned in the supply of drugs, possessing drugs with intent to supply and being concerned in an offer to supply drugs.

He is further charged with dangerous driving, having no insurance and obstructing powers to search under the misuse of drugs act.

Derry Magistrate’s Court heard allegations that the man was initially arrested for driving offences in October last year. His phone was seized and during a later search of his home it is alleged drugs were seized.

On March 9, it is alleged the defendant was observed by police driving a vehicle again.

Police alerted him to stop, but claimed he failed to do so and they followed him for a period of time until it was unsafe to continue.

The court heard that the vehicle also allegedly failed to stop for Gardai across the border and it was later found close to the defendant’s home address.

It is alleged police visited the man’s property and found him in possession of a frying pan containing a large number of blue diazepam tablets which he was counting.

Other drugs were also allegedly seized by police during a search, along with a mobile phone and keys to the vehicle.

An investigating officer told the court the phone was examined and contained a ‘large volume of drug supply material’.

It also allegedly shows that the defendant travels to Belfast to secure thousands of diazepam tablets, which he sells for a pound each.

The officer added that during police interview, the defendant made certain admissions to drug supply.

Opposing bail, she said that police have concerns the defendant will continue to offend and breach bail.

The officer told the court that the defendant posed a risk to the public by allegedly driving under the influence of drugs and police believe he ‘will eventually cause serious harm to someone’.

Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott said his client has not attempted to evade responsibilty for the offences.

He told the court the man has a drug addiction and would say that he is dealing drugs to feed his own habit.

The solicitor said his client has ‘no trappings of wealth and doesn’t have anything to show for this trade except for causing misery to himself, through his own addiction, and to others’.

He urged the court to release the man on bail with a condition which obliges him to seek treatment.

Deputy District Judge Liam McStay refused bail, stating that as a result of the defendant’s criminal record he had no confidence that bail conditions could manage the risk of further offences.

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