The drugs seized by police on Sunday during searches in the Bogside and Williams Street area
TWO men have been remanded in custody after a suspicious vehicle led police to a haul of up to £3oo,ooo worth of drugs at the weekend.
The men aged – 25 and 29 – were charged at Derry Magistrates’ Court today with a number of offences, including possession of Class A and Class B drugs and possession of Class A and Class B drugs with intent to supply.
The 29-year-old faced an additional charge of possession of property in relation to the seizure of £4,000 in cash.
Following an application by a defence solicitor, District Judge Barney McElholm imposed a reporting restriction that banned publication of their names.
Both were remanded in custody to appear in court via video link from Maghaberry prison next month.
Following their court appearance, the PSNI in Derry gave more details of the operation that led to their arrest, court appearance and remand in custody.
They say the investigation into the seizure is ongoing and a third person has been arrested under the 1971 Misuse of Drugs Act.
A PSNI spokesperson said: “On Sunday evening members of Derry City & Strabane District Support Team (DST who were proactively patrolling City observed a vehicle acting suspiciously.
“After stopping the vehicle DST carried out a search of the two men in the car.
“Drugs were found which were believed to be cocaine.
“This led police to carry out a number of house searches in the Bogside supported by our colleagues from the Tactical Support Group.”
Two homes were searched in Durrow Park area of the Bogside and Kular Court in the William Street area.
“Following very effective house searches by TSG, suspected cocaine of a conservative street value estimate of £200,000-£3oo,ooo were recovered along with other illegal drugs.
“As a result of this excellent work two men in there 20’s were charged to court in the City. This morning District Judge McElholm remanded both in custody.
“The DST investigation is still going on with a further arrest made and more to follow.
“This signifant haul was destined for the people of our City and wider and has now been taken off the streets.
“The message is clear to drug dealers: “We are coming to get you.”