Pubdate: Fri, 30 Jan 2009
Source: Derry Journal (UK)
Copyright: 2009 Johnston Press PLC
Contact:  http://www.derryjournal.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4557
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)

DERRY'S COCAINE KING IS 'POISONING LOCAL CHILDREN'

A prominent Derry businessman is being fingered as the city's cocaine 
overlord, the 'Journal' can reveal.

Republican sources have identified a man they believe is responsible 
for much of the cocaine flooding the city's streets, pubs and clubs.

The man named is living in a quiet residential area of the Waterside.

They claim the drug boss has been operating his underground trade for 
several years with a network of young dealers peddling his toxic 
wares. A source close to the INLA told the 'Journal' that the 
"prominent businessman" recently approached a dissident republican 
organisation in the city claiming he was no longer involved in 
importing and distributing the deadly powder.

"But that is not the case," said the source.

"He is bringing a substantial amount of cocaine and using a network 
of young people to distribute it city wide and poison our children. 
These young people of 19 and 20 are making up to UKP2,000 a week off 
the back of the trade. It's a very major operation with massive 
amounts of money changing hands."

However, Mr Big is keeping a very low profile.

"The majority of the people selling the drugs probably don't even 
know they are selling for him."

A spokesperson for the PSNI said it would be "prejudicial to some of 
our operations to discuss them in detail".

However, he added: "All information is valuable, and will be 
carefully evaluated before we act on it. The cold reality is that we 
have to get the drugs dealers off the backs of vulnerable people and 
get them into jail where they belong."

Between April 1 and November 30 last year police seized 97.5 grammes 
of cocaine powder and 21 cocaine wraps in the Foyle area.

The amount of cocaine seized in the Derry area was less than in 
Belfast, Ballymena (338g); Coleraine (150g); Craigavon (553g) and 
Dungannon (279g).
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