Three to stand trial over methedrone consignment

Peter Neill, Clint Lyle and Jean Lindsay are each charged with attempted possession of a Class B variant of methedrone with intent to supply.

The alleged offences are connected to the seizure of a two-kilo package of the drugs at a courier depot in Mallusk, just outside north Belfast, in February. It was previously disclosed in court that the consignment was sent from Shanghai and had an estimated street value of up to £50,000.

Neill, 45, from Hazelbank Road, Coleraine, Lyle, 34, of no fixed address, and 20-year-old Lindsay, from Somerset Drive, Coleraine, appeared before Belfast Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday for a preliminary enquiry hearing.

All three accused declined to give evidence or call witnesses at this stage in the case.

District Judge Rosie Watters granted an application for all three to be returned for trial at Belfast Crown Court. She refused to rule on a request by Neill’s lawyer to certify for two defence barristers.

Solicitor Sean McCann had argued that the case against his client was circumstantial and based on complex mapping and cell site analysis.

Neill was remanded in custody until the trial gets underway on a date to be fixed. Lyle and Lindsay were both granted bail but banned from any contact with their co-accused.