Judge describes Ballymena man as 'important cog' in distribution of drugs
A Ballymena man has been described by a judge as an "important cog in the wheel" of drug distribution.
District Judge Nigel Broderick was speaking to James Arnold Wilson (41), of Inchcolm Avenue, who admitted possessing - according to the charge sheet - '£2,230' cash as 'criminal property' on February 13 last year.
A prosecutor told Antrim Magistrates Court, sitting in Ballymena on Tuesday, police stopped a vehicle and located "approximately £2,500" which was seized.
When interviewed the defendant said the money was from the sale of "two Cocker Spaniel pups" but did not give any further details. Police checked the cost of such pups online and the price ranged from £300-£600.
The defendant's phone did not have any information regarding the sale of dogs "however it did show the defendant making deliveries throughout the country in exchange for quantities of cash".
The prosecutor said she understood the seized money was connected with "drugs". No drugs were recovered.
A defence barrister said the defendant is an alcoholic in "significant debt" and he was on the "bottom rung" and was "getting small fees" for "making runs", "essentially to serve his debt".
The lawyer said the explanation given at interview was not the case and the defendant has "accepted his culpability". The defendant has a record including for supplying drugs in 2012.
Judge Broderick said the defendant "could consider yourself very fortunate" not to be going to prison.
He added: "Your barrister says you were at the lowest rung but you are still an important cog in this wheel. If you are not going round delivering drugs then that whole enterprise would face difficulties".
The judge said that "not without hesitation" he would put the defendant on Probation "to address underlying issues and to prevent reoffending".
The one year of Probation has a condition that the defendant has to engage in addiction treatment.