Three people have appeared before a special court sitting in relation to the recovery of drugs, firearms and counterfeit goods.
Tracey McDonagh (46) and Jamie McDonagh (21) from Sycamore Heights, Dungannon as well a youth who cannot be identified due to age are jointly charged with possessing and being concerned in the supply of cocaine, MDMA, cannabis and Diazepam.
They are also charged with having a handgun, rifles, bullets, ammunition and a knuckleduster in suspicious circumstances as well as possessing criminal property in the form of cash and jewellery, having counterfeit goods involving fraudulent Rolex trademarks and evading VAT of tobacco and e-cigarettes.
A police officer aware of the facts of the case told Dungannon Magistrates’ Court all charges could be connected.
He explained police carried out a search of the properly and recovered the drugs with a collective estimated street value of £50,000, along with scales and deal bags.
A handgun was found in a kitchen cupboard and a number of rifles, which the officer stressed may well be deactivated, were discovered in a shed.
On searching the woman’s bedroom, police found a safe containing a large amount of cash, a diary containing what are suspected to be drug debts indicating, “she is very financially organised. She has multiple bank accounts and numerous driving licences in different names, as well as other forms of identification. It’s unclear how many identities she actually holds. There’s an element of sophistication.”
All three were arrested and during interview the adults provided ‘no comment’ responses to all questions.
The youth submitted a pre-prepared statement then remained silent throughout the rest of the interview.
Objecting to bail the officer said, “There are very high rates of this type of crime in the Mid Ulster Area. The seized drugs have caused loss and will need to be paid for, which it is believed will lead to further offending. The defendants have a knowledge of how to carry out drug dealing including acquisition and distribution. There is financial acumen as to what’s going on in this regard. There may also be other criminal proceeds which could be removed or disposed of”.
Defence lawyers sought all three to be released, starting with the youth due to his age and the fact there are no previous convictions.
The adults were likewise said to have caused no obstruction when arrested and while there were ‘comment’ interviews had been cooperative and compliant.
Alternative addresses were put forward for each accused and the court was informed cash sureties were available.
Following consideration District Judge Francis RAffert decided bail could be granted but warned any breach would see the cases brought back to court.
The adults were released on £1000 bail each as well as £1000 cash sureties and ordered to reside at addresses approved by police and abide by a curfew from 10pm to 7am.
Bail for the youth was set at £100 with residence to be arranged with a family member.
The three are to appear at court again on July 8.
