Derry man with 102 previous convictions charged with £8,000 drug discovery

A man with 102 previous convictions has appeared at Derry Magistrate's Court today charged with possessing class A drugs which police say are valued at £8,000.

Marc Villa (32) of Clon Elagh in Derry was charged with possessing class A drugs with intent to supply, possessing the drugs and being concerned in the supply of class A drugs on January 27.

A police officer connected the accused to the charges and opposed bail. 

He told the court that on January 27 police searched and address where Villa was the sole tenant.

The defendant was not present for the search but the court heard that a quantity of white powder was found that police say was later tested and found to be class A drugs valued at more than £8,000.

The officer said that other drug paraphernalia was found in the premises.

On February 7 police returned to the address and located Villa there and he was arrested.

At interview Villa denied any knowledge of the drugs and said he had not been residing at the address for some time.

He said that other people had used the house but gave no further details. 

Bail was opposed due to the risk of reoffending and the officer said that of Villa's 102 previous convictions 34 were for drug related offences. 

Defence solicitor Keith Kyle said that Villa had made the  case that he was not at home and knew nothing about the drugs.

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He said Villa maintained that his sister had passed the house on one occasion and saw people partying and chased them out.

The solicitor asked the court to give Villa 'the benefit of the doubt.' 

District Judge Oonagh Mullan refused bail and Villa was remanded in custody to appear again on March 5.