Man who swallowed 10 bags of cocaine remanded in custody

Man who swallowed 10 bags of cocaine remanded in custody

27 February 2019

AN alleged drug dealer who swallowed ten bags of cocaine has been refused bail.

Downpatrick Court heard last Thursday that Niall Anthony Maguire, of Windmill Street, Ballynahinch, vomited up the bags in front of police on October 21 last year.

Twenty eight year-old Maguire was choking at the time and the bags were covered in blood.

Maguire was charged with possessing cocaine and possessing the drug with intent to supply.

Opposing bail, a police officer said Maguire had 55 previous convictions, including 16 for drug offences.

He said the alleged offences occurred while Maguire was serving a suspended sentence and police were concerned that there was a risk of reoffending if bail was granted.

A defence barrister said the drugs were worth £100 and were contained in small bags. 

“In common parlance they are known as a ‘deal’,” he remarked.

He said Maguire had a “chronic drug problem” and had bought the drugs for his own use.

Remarking that the drugs were of low quality, he continued: “Someone with his addiction would have used them pretty quickly.”

He said Maguire had a “tough background”, having been abandoned by his parents at 18 months old, and had been brought up by his grandmother until he was seven.

The barrister added that the grandmother was willing to provide accommodation for Maguire if he was granted bail.

Refusing bail, District Judge Greg McCourt said it was a serious case and noted that Maguire had 11 previous convictions for possessing drugs with intent to supply and had breached bail on 15 occasions.

“Good and all as his grandmother is, I am not sure she could handle him,” he remarked. “I am quite certain she is trying to do her best for him.

“Given his serious record for drug dealing, this defendant is likely to re-offend if granted bail.”