A Portadown man has appeared in court after a member of the public stumbled upon a stash of cocaine which had the accused’s fingerprints on it.
John Flynn, of Garvaghy Park, who was only days earlier handed a suspended prison sentence for intent to supply, appeared before Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday on a single count of possessing cocaine.
The 22-year-old was charged after his fingerprints and DNA were found on a small stash of cocaine found under a telegraph pole in a rural area of the town.
The court heard that on April 16, 2022, police received a report from a member of the public that they located a suspicious package.
The member of the public told police that they believed the package contained drugs, having removed one small bag from the package, which later they handed to police.
Police were informed that the remainder of the package had been left in situ underneath a telegraph pole.
Police attended the area and, upon arrival, noted that it was a narrow country lane where only one car could pass at any one time.
Police then began to head towards the telegraph pole but noted a white car stop nearby for a short period. Police could only see the roof of the vehicle, as their view was obstructed.
The vehicle then, after a short time, drove off and was heading towards the police vehicle, at which point officers stopped it and spoke with the passengers.
They were advised that the vehicle would be detained for the purpose of a search, however, nothing was found and they left the area.
Police then searched around the telegraph pole and found a plastic container underneath some dead grass.
Inside the container, was two loose bags of white powder and a larger wrap of black cellophane. Inside the cellophane there were four bags of white powder which were all seized by police.
Forensic analysis confirmed the powder to be cocaine.
Fingerprints were also lifted from the packaging, and police received a fingerprint report on November 2, 2023 which identified the fingerprints to belong to Flynn. DNA belonging to the defendant was also found on the package.
Flynn attended Lurgan police where he voluntarily supplied his fingerprints. He was interviewed and cautioned, making no reply after caution. He left and was advised that further inquiries would be made.
Defence barrister Damien Halleron told the court that his client had been sentenced in Lisburn Crown Court two days prior for being concerned in supply. Those charges stemmed from messages found on his phone.
Mr Halleron said Flynn was originally charged with intent to supply but accepted a plea to simple possession.
“He was disturbed by the civilian and he got back into the car,” Mr Halleron explained.
“He’s accepting his culpability on the basis that his fingerprint was on the bag.”
He added: “He’s in his early 20s. He does accept at the material time, when all of this was taking place, that he was addicted to cocaine. He has taken steps to now rehabilitate himself.
“His mother, who’s with him, is seriously ill. She’s had a number of heart operations, including one this year for open heart surgery. That was something that weighed heavily in terms of giving a suspended sentence [in Lisburn], which obviously runs from Wednesday.”
Mr Halleron asked District Judge Michael Ranaghan not to interfere with that suspended prison sentence.
Judge Ranaghan queried if Flynn was his mother’s carer, which was confirmed.
The judge then asked if Flynn had much free time on Saturdays before sentecing him to 180 hours of Community Service.
“I have a couple of options to you. One is another suspended sentence or another one is to make you work for free, to pay back what you’ve done, and that’s what you’re going to do.
“He’s a young man of 22. I hope Probation will tailor that Community Service to his age. I also have to warn you, Mr. Flynn, if you fail to complete that 180 hours Community Service, within 12 months, you’ll be back for this court for re-sentencing, and the only likely option for you at that stage will be immediate custody.”
