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Seven sentenced after NI drugs smuggling ring dismantled | Seven sentenced after NI drugs smuggling ring dismantled |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Seven members of a Northern Ireland gang have been sentenced for their role in a drugs smuggling ring uncovered by police more than two years ago. | |
The men from Belfast; Ballymena in County Antrim; Coagh in County Tyrone and Tandragee in County Armagh, got varying terms of imprisonment. | The men from Belfast; Ballymena in County Antrim; Coagh in County Tyrone and Tandragee in County Armagh, got varying terms of imprisonment. |
They were arrested after separate police operations in Belfast in 2010. | They were arrested after separate police operations in Belfast in 2010. |
Subsequent searches uncovered cannabis, cocaine and tablets which police said were worth £2.5m. | Subsequent searches uncovered cannabis, cocaine and tablets which police said were worth £2.5m. |
The searches took place at Duncrue Link in October 2010 and Apollo Road in December of that year.The bulk of the haul was cannabis but a 1kg of cocaine and a sizeable sum of money was also seized. | |
The court was told that 29-year-old Ryan Black, whose address cannot be published, was the ringleader and William Johnston, 35, of Windermere Park, Belfast, was his "trusted lieutenant". | The court was told that 29-year-old Ryan Black, whose address cannot be published, was the ringleader and William Johnston, 35, of Windermere Park, Belfast, was his "trusted lieutenant". |
The others were couriers or had more minor roles. | The others were couriers or had more minor roles. |
Black was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years, of which he will serve half on licence. | Black was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years, of which he will serve half on licence. |
Johnston was sentenced to six years and nine months. He, too ,will serve half in custody. | Johnston was sentenced to six years and nine months. He, too ,will serve half in custody. |
Black has already spent a significant amount of time on remand and this will be taken off the custodial part of his sentence. | Black has already spent a significant amount of time on remand and this will be taken off the custodial part of his sentence. |
The other members of the gang who have been sentenced are: Warren Martin, 38, of Windsor Terrace, Coagh, County Tyrone; Aiden Joseph McPartland, 33, of Deramore Gardens, Belfast; Anthony McStravick, 33, of Ailesbury Road, Belfast; Mark Mulholland, 27, of Colonsay Park, Ballymena and James Turley, 53, Ballymore Road, Tandragee. |
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