25-year-old appears in court in Derry on drugs charges

A 25-year-old man has appeared at Derry Magistrates Court after drugs with a street value of 20,000 euro were discovered in his car and home.
Gary McLaughlin from Rosskeen Park, Hazelbank was charged with possessing, possessing with intent to supply and being concerned in supplying cocaine and mephadrone.
The court was told that he failed to stop at a police checkpoint on Friday.
Police used a stinger device to force him to stop.
During the search of the vehicle, the defendant pointed to the car’s ashtray and said it contained cocaine.
The police also discovered £400 in cash on the defendant.
During the search of his home, police found 157g of cocaine that had been packed into 22 small bags.
In the bedroom, the police found a package containing a white crystal substance that the police believe to be mephadrone. They also found another £1,100 in cash.
After he was arrested, Gary McLaughlin made two no comment interviews to the police but in a prepared statement he did say he was in fear of reprisals.
He was released on bail to appear in court again on 5 March.