Man bailed at Derry Court with cultivation of drugs valued at between £200,000 to £250,000

Derry Magistrate's Court heard today how police came across a quantity of drugs being cultivated at an address in Ardmore that were valued at between £200,000 to £250,000.

Modestas Narusaitis (29) of no fixed abode was applying for bail after being charged with a series of offences including being concerned in the production of class B drugs, possessing class B drugs and dishonestly using electricity on July 9 at the Ardkill Road in Ardmore.

Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott said that the defendant now had an address approved by police but they were still objecting to bail.

A Lithuanian interpreter translated for the defendant as a police officer outlined police objections.

He told the court police arrived at an address and found 'a large number of plants' being cultivated in four rooms.

The defendant was said to have jumped out a window when police arrived and ran away across fields but was detained about 500 metres away and had sustained injuries requiring hospital treatment. 

The police officer said that NIE had commented on the 'sophistication of the power lay out' and pointed out how 'unsafe and dangerous' it was.

Bail was opposed due to police concerns Narusaitis could flee the jurisdiction. 

Mr MacDermott said that one of the hold ups in applying for bail had been an address and there now was a suitable one in Coalisland. 

He said that as far as he knew the defendant had given police his PIN number but the police officer said he was not aware of that.

The solicitor asked for bail as it could be some time before the case came to court. 

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The defendant was released on bail to the Coalisland address, ordered to surrender his passport, observe a curfew and wears a tag.

He will also be required to put forward a cash surety of £1,000.

He will appear again on August 28.