Detectives from PSNI’s Organised Crime Unit have welcomed the sentencing of a Derry man at the local Crown Court today, Thursday, January 31, for possession of Class A drugs and possession of Class B and C drugs with intent to supply.
He was also convicted of assaulting police.
A total sentence of three years imprisonment was handed down, half to be served in custody and half on license and this follows a number of police searches between December 2016 and September 2017 in the city.
The suspect cannot be named because of a court order.
A quantity of drugs with a potential street value of over £8000 were seized including heroin, cocaine, cannabis, MDMA powder, other opioids including fentanyl patches, buprenorphine patches and oxycodone tablets.
A sum of cash and a range of benzodiazepines including diazepam, Xanax and Etizolam tablets were also seized.
Detective Inspector Tom McClure from PSNI’s Organised Crime Unit said: “I welcome today’s sentencing which is evidence of PSNI’s continuing commitment to removing dangerous drugs from our streets and prosecuting those who supply them.
“Not only did this man possess a range of drugs which would have been destined for sale in the local community, these searches required considerable policing resource, particularly as opened fentanyl patches can be extremely dangerous to anyone who is exposed to them.
“Drug dealers seek to make profit at the expense of causing harm and loss to local families in the city.
“They set out to ruin the communities that they operate in and they do not care about the damage that they cause, preying on the most vulnerable members of their communities.
“We will continue to aggressively and proactively pursue those who are intent on damaging our communities by supplying illegal drugs and the communities most damaged by the scourge of drugs support our ongoing efforts.
“I would appeal for anyone with information regarding the supply of illegal drugs to contact police on 101.
“Alternatively, information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime.”
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