RAIDED
POLICE plan to interview staff in the Coach Inn to establish whether or not they knew about the alleged selling of drugs on the premises, a court has heard.
It was also claimed that drugs were so readily available in the Coach that undercover police officers could purchase them anytime between 7pm and 1am on any Friday or Saturday night.
Eight men and a juvenile appeared at Newry Magistrate's Court last Friday charged with possessing and supplying Class A drugs.
Included among them was Gareth John McAleavey (20), from Ballygowan Road in Banbridge, who was charged with supplying an amphetamine. He was bailed to reappear in court on December 20.
Friday's court appearances followed a covert police surveillance operation between August and October in the Coach and in Ballymena, focusing on the sale of cocaine, Ecstasy and amphetamines.
On Thursday a Province-wide police operation was mounted during which sniffer dogs were deployed in the Coach as officers searched for anything which could be used as evidence against those accused of selling, supplying and distributing drugs.
Fears that poisonous ecstasy tablets were about to be sold prompted police to move against an alleged criminal gang, the court heard.
Drugs squad detectives believe the gang were supplying ecstasy, cocaine and amphetamines through the Coach nightclub. The court was told that video and audio evidence was compiled by police during the investigation.
A detective said intelligence gleaned by officers had led them to a father and son who they believe are at the heart of the alleged gang.
He said the police believe that no drug transaction could take place inside the club without the knowledge of David Lloyd and Nathan Berkley from the Antrim Road in Ballymena.
He said runners would bring cash from drugs transactions back to the Berkleys before being issued with more drugs. David Lloyd Berkley faces two charges - supplying Ecstasy and offering to supply Ecstasy.
His son faces four charges - two relating to the supply of Ecstasy and two to the supply of cocaine. Both were refused bail by magistrate Rosemary Watters.
Six of the accused were bailed, but bail was also refused to Mark Le Blanc from Chichester Park East in Ballymena.
The police alleged he was a more senior member of the gang than the others who theydescribed as "runners".
He faces three charges of supplying Ecstasy, three charges of possession of Ecstasy and another charge of possession of cannabis resin.
The court was told that the cannabis was found during a search of his home and it was alleged he had a senior role in the gang.
The accused were arrested at houses in south-east Antrim, mid-Ulster and Ballymena. No-one was arrested at the Coach.
When contacted by the Leader, a spokesman for the Coach said they would be making no comment.
Last week's raid came just over a week after the Leader exclusively revealed that Banbridge police chief Christine McCullough had objected to the renewal of the liquor licence and an application for additional permitted hours at the Coach.
It is understood these objections are on the grounds of crime in the town, allegedly related to nightclub revellers spilling out onto the streets.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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