Pubdate: Thu, 21 May 1998
Source: Belfast Telegraph 
Contact:  William Allen

DRUG DEALER WARNS OF COCAINE 'FLOOD' 

COCAINE is set to flood the North West, a drug dealer in Londonderry warned
today.

The man, who contacted the Belfast Telegraph, claimed large quantities of
the hard drug would shortly hit the streets.

The caller, who was able to substantiate his claim that he was a dealer,
said he had developed psychological problems as a result of abusing illicit
substances.

And he warned that the worst was yet to come.

"You could get it alright if you knew where to go, but it's not common," he
said. "However, it's coming into Derry and it's going to be big, very big."
Earlier this week, the RUC said there had only been one seizure of cocaine
in the North West this year and the Drugs Squad believe only small amounts
of the substance are being sold.

"Up to now, they'd have been right," the dealer said. "It's all very
hush-hush at the minute, but I can tell you it's being brought into Derry in
a big way." The dealer did agree with the RUC assessment that the use of
Ecstasy had reached a plateau.

But he went on: "It'll still be about but there will be other drugs on the
scene too. They're right about cannabis being the most popular, too.

"I made a lot of money from that, selling to people of all ages, from
teenagers to pensioners. Most of this town are at it.

"Even people in their 50s or 60s are starting on cannabis because they've
drink problems. They like taking it in their tea. I made a lot of money from
them."

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Checked-by: Melodi Cornett