Police heard toilet flushing

When police raided a house in Portadown last week they heard a toilet flush and believed someone was trying to dispose of drugs.
Craigavon Courthouse. INPT21-239.Craigavon Courthouse. INPT21-239.
Craigavon Courthouse. INPT21-239.

This was revealed during a bail application made last Friday at Craigavon Magistrates Court.

Appearing in court by way of videolink from Maghaberry prison was 22-year-old Isaque Duarte, Ballybay View, Portadown.

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He faces a series of charges including possession of a class A drug, heroin, on April 19 this year, having heroin with intent to supply, possession of criminal property, unlawful possession of a class B drug cannabis resin and unlawful possession of class drugs Lyrica, Diazepam and Subutex.

A police officer said that on April 19 a search was carried out at a house in Portadown and police heard a toilet flush. They believed that someone was trying to dispose of dugs.

Duarte was discovered with heroin and over £700 in cash in his pocket. There was also cash in the toilet bowl. It was wet as was the sleeve of the defendant’s jacket.

The officer added that police had expected to find drugs and also discovered cannabis and class C drugs.

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He said that the value of the heroin was about £200 and around the same for the other drugs.

The officer told the court that they believed Duarte was a principal member of an organised crime gang dealing in heroin in the Portadown area.

He explained that as a result of an investigation eight persons had been arrested and accused of supplying heroin. The defendant’s brother, cousin and an associate were among those arrested.

The officer said one of the police objections to bail was that Duarte, who was a drug user himself, would continue to supply heroin.

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A barrister representing the defendant said that he had been a historic user of heroin but had stopped using it.

He explained that Duarte had recently lapsed because he had damaged an ankle and was in severe pain. He had bought six wraps and had smoked one of them.

The barrister added that Duarte had been living in Northern Ireland for 14 years and a partner and ex-partner with whom he had two children were in court. He had real ties to the community and ran a café in Belfast.

District Judge Des Perry said the defendant also had ties to another country and there were flight risks concerning drugs cases.

He added that he did not think Duarte was a suitable candidate for bail and adjourned the case until May 20.