Peter Gallagher jnr sentenced to 18 months after cops find £7,000 worth of cocaine in his trainer
A 23 year old Derry man has been sentenced to 16 months for having £7,000 worth of cocaine hidden in a training shoe at his home in the city last year.
Groom-to-be Peter Gallagher Junior, who was living at Tranarossan Avenue, admitted a charge of possession of a Class A drug with intent to supply.
As part of a proactive investigation, detectives from Reactive and Organised Crime Branch searched Gallagher’s home on 7 August last year.
Officers found a sports bag in the kitchen containing a pair of trainers.
One trainer had a sandwich bag stuffed into its toe.
When detectives opened the bag, they found it contained a small block of cocaine with an estimated street value of around £7,000.
Gallagher Junior, who is waiting to be married, is the ninth person to be sentenced as part of this investigation.
Others have yet to stand trial.
The officer leading the investigation, Detective Inspector Tom McClure, said: “We have been investigating the supply of controlled drugs into Northern Ireland for a considerable period of time.
“Seizures have been made in Antrim, Belfast, Larne and Hillsborough amounting to more than £2 million but we believe there is a strong Derry link to this organised crime group’s activities.
“Drugs wreck lives and we are determined to work with partners and communities to reduce the threat posed by these illegal and harmful substances.
“We will continue to investigate those who seek to make money from illegal drugs and we will work to put them before the courts so that they suffer the financial and custodial consequences of their criminal activity.
“I appeal to people to continue to work with us and anyone with information in relation to drugs should contact police on the non-emergency number 101 or alternatively contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Gallagher Junior was sentenced to 16 months for possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and given a further two months in respect of previous suspended sentences.
The total of 18 months will be split between 9 months in jail and 9 months on licence.
The block of cocaine police found in Gallagher’s trainer