Security guard accused of allowing his Cookstown home be used as a drugs factory is granted bail

Cocaine with a street value of £600,000 and cannabis infused chocolate bars were seized during a raid on 28-year-old Philip Carson's house in Cookstown, Co Tyrone.

Police also confiscated £10,000 in cash, drugs paraphernalia and a car in the operation on October 8.

Carson, of Drumearn Road in the town, was granted bail despite prosecution claims he played a trusted role in the illicit operation.

He faces charges of possessing cocaine and cannabis with intent to supply, having criminal property, and permitting his home to be used for the production of drugs.

The court heard he was present with two co-accused who were wearing chemical-style hazmat suits when police entered.

Opposing Carson's bid to be released from custody, Crown lawyer Lauren Cheshire claimed the cocaine was in the process of being converted into blocks for storage and onward transportation.

"This was an enormous amount of drugs... it was an industrial scale operation," she contended.

Ms Cheshire rejected any suggestion Carson merely permitted others to use his home, and questioned assertions that he was looking after the £10,000 for someone else.

"It stands to reason he was there as an individual trusted by these criminal elements who are some way up the supply chain," she said.

"It seems this man of good character has become very deeply involved in the production and distribution of drugs."

Craig Patton, defending, argued that unlike his co-accused, Carson was dressed normally and in a different part of the house when police arrived.

"Cannabis found in chocolate bars in the fridge, he accepted that," Mr Patton said.

"But it's in no way similar to the trade that was going on in an industrial scale."

The barrister added: "He (Carson) outlined in interviews that he had been asked for the use of his premises in return for £1,000."

Describing his client as impressionable, counsel submitted: "It totally fits the stereotype where those in the drugs trade target vulnerable individuals with premises they can use to go about manufacturing."

Granting bail, Mr Justice Humphreys said it was a "borderline application".

He ordered lodgement of a £5,000 cash surety and banned Carson from leaving Northern Ireland.