Derry: Two men in court following £1.9m drugs seizure
Two men have appeared in court in Omagh charged in connection with the seizure of £1.9m of drugs.
The court heard the drugs were seized by police during a raid at a warehouse in Castledawson in Country Londonderry on Thursday 9 May.
The two accused are both from Bolton and were arrested by police at the premises during the operation.
Elyas Saddique, 53, and Thomas James Foxcroft, 25, appeared at Omagh Magistrates' court via videolink charged with being concerned in the supply of a class A drug, namely cocaine and being concerned in the supply of a class B drug, namely cannabis.
The two men were further charged with possession of a class A drug with intent to supply, namely cocaine and possession of a class B drug with intent to supply, namely cannabis.
A detective constable said he could connect both the accused to the charges.
He told the court officers found 18kg of cocaine and 30kg of herbal cannabis concealed in boxes in the warehouse under packets of frozen green beans.
'Serious criminal enterprise'
The court heard that Elyas Saddique was the registered owner of the business where the drugs were found and that he booked flights to Northern Ireland and rented a van used by him and his co-accused.
The detective constable said police would be strongly opposing bail applications made by solicitors for both men.
He also said police were also concerned about a risk of further offending as well as interference in their investigation.
District Judge Michael McElholm said the two accused were “not suitable candidates for bail” because of a high risk of reoffending.
He added the seizure involved a large amount of drugs and was “a serious criminal enterprise.”
Both men were remanded in custody and are due to appear in court again on 5 June.
