THREE men accused of being part of a cocaine and cannabis dealing network with links to the East Belfast UVF must remain in custody, a High Court judge has ruled.
Lord Justice Treacy overturned a decision to grant bail to Glenn Rainey, 36, his 42-year-old brother Mark Rainey, and William Hunter, 34, over their alleged roles in a wholesale drug supply network.
He said: "I agree with the prosecution that there is a grave risk of reoffending."
The trio were arrested in August last year as part of a wider investigation into suspected crimes carried out by the East Belfast UVF.
Based on messages on seized mobile phones, prosecutors claim they have been involved in the illicit drug trade, with discussions about money owed and threatening violence to those who couldn't pay their debts.
So-called "safe houses" were used to keep any large quantities of drugs and cash away from their home addresses, it was contended.
Glen Rainey, from McArthur Court; Mark Rainey, of St Patricks Walk and William Hunter, from Upper Canning Street - all in Belfast - face charges of being concerned in the supply of Class A and Class B drugs.
The defendants deney any wrongdoing and are not accused of any paramilitary offences.
At Belfast Magistrates' Court last week they were each granted bail after being returned for trial.
Appealing that decision to release them from custody, counsel for the Public Prosecution Service said the evidence pointed to persistent involvement in drug offences.
"It's our case these three men are part of an organised gang," she said.
Defence lawyers disputed the scale of the alleged criminality and inferences drawn from phone messages.
However, Lord Justice Treacy held that previously expressed concerns about any release had not diminished before overturning the decision to release them.
With many thanks to: The Irish News for the original publication.
Follow this link to find out more on this story: East Belfast UVF trio have bail overturned by High Court judge
No comments:
Post a Comment