Drumaness woman on trial over cocaine in house claims

Drumaness woman on trial over cocaine in house claims

28 September 2016

A 28-year old Drumaness woman has gone on trial in Belfast on drugs charges after cocaine was found in a padlocked holdall in her bedroom.

Maolioda McAlinden has been charged with three offences arising from a search of her then Agra Street home in Belfast on August 6, 2014.

McAlinden, who now lives at The Green in Drumaness, was arrested after cocaine was found in her bedroom and cannabis located in her car.

Outlining the Crown case against McAlinden to a jury at Belfast Crown Court, prosecutor Simon Jenkins said that no-one was home when police searched her home, but as the search was nearing 

an end, McAlinden pulled up in her car.

During a search of her home, several items were located the wardrobe of her bedroom, including a black holdall which was padlocked. The holdall contained several plastic bags containing white powder, and when the substance was tested it was found to be cocaine with a low purity.

When McAlinden’s car was searched, police found a bag containing 18 grams of herbal cannabis in the glove compartment.

McAlinden was arrested and during interview, she made the case that some people who she didn’t name asked her to keep “some stuff” in her house. She told police she didn’t ask what it was, she had just lost her job and these people said they would give her money to keep it.

She also said during police interview she suspected it was something illegal but she didn’t know what was in the holdall.

Regarding the cannabis found in her car, McAlinden said it wasn’t hers and she knew nothing about it.

She was subsequently charged with, and denies, possessing cocaine with intent to supply, possessing cocaine and possessing cannabis.

At hearing.