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17 Feb 2026

Derry woman charged with possession of Class A drugs

Laurie Villa (33) of Templemore Crescent in Derry was charged with, on December 1, 2023, possession of Class A drugs and being concerned in the offer to supply Class A drugs

Rowdy scenes at Derry Magistrate's Court as anti lock down protesters disrupted proceedings

Derry Magistrates' Court

Reporter:

Court Reporter

17 Feb 2026 11:30 AM

Email:

news@derrynow.com

A woman has appeared at Derry Magistrates' Court charged with a number of drug offences between 2023 and January this year.
Laurie Villa (33) of Templemore Crescent in Derry was charged with, on December 1, 2023, possession of Class A drugs and being concerned in the offer to supply Class A drugs.
She was also charged with, on May 25, 2024, possession of Class A drugs and, on February 16 this year, possession of Class B drugs, being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs and concealing criminal property, namely money.
Finally, she was charged with, between December 1, 2023 and May 25, 2024, concealing criminal property, again money.
Police initially stopped Villa on May 25, 2024 when they suspected her to be involved in the supply of drugs.
Upon searching, they found two small bags containing Class A drugs and found multiple bank cards with different names in her car. Her phone was seized and Villa refused to give access codes.
When police finally gained access, they say they found 'overwhelming evidence' of drug supply and money transactions.
In January this year, Villa was arrested and made full admissions when police suspected that she was still involved in the supply of drugs.
On February 16, police found a small amount of Class B drugs and evidence suggested that Villa was still involved in the supply of drugs until January 30 this year.
She admitted to selling drugs again since September 2025 as she had outstanding drug depts of £4000 and had been threatened over it.
Police objected to bail as they believe she will reoffend if released.
Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott said that Villa has four young children that are currently in the care of her mother since her arrest.
He added that social services are happy enough for the children to stay with Villa as she is unlikely to reoffend as she is now 'very much on the police radar'.
She was granted bail and will appear again on March 12.

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