COCAINE CHARGES | 

Irish Defence Forces soldier allegedly linked to £60k cocaine haul refused bail

The 30-year-old is charged with possessing cocaine with intent to the supply the drug.

George Jackson

Yesterday at 15:21

An Irish army soldier appeared in court in Derry today accused of drugs offences linked to cocaine worth £60,000.

Derry man Caolan Larkin, from Glengomna Road, Draperstown, appeared via video link from the custody suite in Dungannon PSNI station.

The 30-year-old is charged with possessing cocaine with intent to the supply the drug.

He is also accused of possessing cocaine and possessing a small quantity of cannabis.

A police officer told Derry Magistrates Court that on Tuesday police officers searched premises at The Orchard in Draperstown under warrant after the PSNI received information about the possibility of drugs being in the property.

After gaining entry to the property by force, the officers found 1.2kg of cocaine, with a street value of between £50,000 and £60,000.

They also found a small amount of cannabis, a laptop, two mobile phones, a heat sealer and a postal receipt from Portugal.

The officer said: “During interview, he [Larkin] made some admissions in relation to the cannabis. Regarding the cocaine, he said some of it belonged to him.

“When asked if he was acting under duress, he said, ‘No comment at this time,’ and he wanted to speak to his solicitor in relation to that question.

“Bail is objected to. The two mobile phones and the laptop have yet to be triaged. He is currently off on sick leave from his employment, which is based in the Republic of Ireland.

“He has admitted owning some of the cocaine, which means others own the rest of it. Police therefore believe there is a risk of him interfering with the course of justice and with an ongoing police investigation, and there is also a risk of him leaving the jurisdiction.

“In relation to finances, it is very clear he now owes money in relation to the cocaine he has now lost. The police would only reconsider our attitude to bail once the mobile phones and laptop have been triaged, in case there is relevant material on them,” the officer said.

Applying for bail, solicitor Stephen Atherton said the defendant had no criminal record, nor had he ever come to the adverse attention of the police.

He said the defendant, whose occupation on the charge sheet was listed as “army personnel”, had been on long-term sick leave for the past six months due to a debilitating health issue.

He said the police objections to bail could be managed by conditions imposed by the court, saying the defendant’s parents, who were in court, were willing to sign as surety for their son.

Refusing bail, District Judge Barney McElholm said, while the police attitude to bail might change, to make an application now was premature.

“The mobile phones have yet to be triaged to find out who else might be involved in this.

“He [Larkin] said he owns some of the drugs, which suggests he may be in a partnership. He could owe money to an organised crime gang in relation to the drugs seized. We all know what they are like: they will want their money back.

“The investigation is only just beginning. Bail is refused for fear of further offending, due to the amount involved and the possibility he could owe money to other people,” he said.

Larkin was remanded in custody to appear before Magherafelt Magistrates Court on October 18.