Heroin addict on supplying charges

Glen John Carroll, Navan Cottages, Armagh, appeared in court by way of videolink from Maghberry prison.

He faces a total of nine charges. Four of them allege possession of heroin and there are four charges of supplying the drug and one charge of being concerned in the supply of a class A drug.

The investigating officer, a detective constable, said that police carried out a pro-active operation into the possession and supply of heroin in the greater Portadown area and identified eight defendants.

He claimed there was audio and visual evidence of Carroll being involved in the supply of the drug and that he was a member of an organised crime gang who supplied heroin on a daily basis.

The officer listed his objections to bail saying that there was a risk of further offending.

He said Carroll was a heroin addict with 88 previous convictions and if released police believed he would continue to take and supply heroin and commit crime to fund his addiction.

The officer added that police fears were that Carroll would not abide by his bail conditions as there had been previous breaches of bail, community service orders and suspended sentences.

He alleged there were also fears for the safety of the community as there had been a number of fatalities in Northern Ireland in relation to the supply of heroin.

Cross examined by the defendant’s solicitor he confirmed that the operation involved two undercover officers.

The solicitor said that Carroll had eight convictions for possession of various drugs but none for supplying and that he was trying to come off heroin, by taking a heroin substitute.

He added that on dates in November last year an undercover officer had approached Carroll, gave him £30 and asked him to get a deal. The defendant then came back with the deal.

The solicitor said that Carroll lived outside the Portadown area, did not have previous convictions for supplying and his father was willing to stand surety for him.

District Judge, Mr Mervyn Bates, said he was satisfied there was a strong case against the defendant and this was a very serious matter.

He said Carroll was not suitable for bail but told him he had the option to apply to the High Court. The defendant was remanded in custody to appear by way of videolink on April 1.