Men ran 'DIY drugs operation'

Mateusz Skiba (29) of Primrose Gardens, Perkins Craig Thomas Diamond (35) and Kamil Wyszynski (25), both of Magheramenagh Drive, all appeared at North Antrim Magistrates' Court last Wednesday to answer several drugs related charges.

These included possession of a Class B drug, cultivating cannabis, possession with intent to supply and supplying a Class B drug.

The men denied they were involved in large scale supply of the drug saying that they only supplied it to a small number of friends. They also revealed that they grew their own drugs to cut out having to pay dealers.

The court heard that police officers searched Diamond's property at Magheramenagh Drive on June 14.

During the search officers came across a wardrobe in one of the bedrooms which had been adapted into a cannabis cultivating unit.

Inside were 26 cannabis plants, which had an estimated street value of 13,000.

Other drugs paraphernelia was found at the address including digital scales.

Two grammes of amphetamines were seized and 25 grammes of herbal cannabis.

Mr Diamond made no response when arrested, however Mr Wyszynski said: "Supply no, just for me and my friends."

Following their search officers went to Mr Skiba's address and he was arrested.

Defence for Skiba told the court that there was no indication that any of the defendants benefited financially from the operation.

Court heard that the men were of the belief it was better to grow their own rather than pay drug dealers huge amounts of money.

Defence for Diamond, who had also helped Wyszynski cultivate two previous harvests, told the court that he had uncovered the drug operation shortly after he had rented a room to his co-accused.

Diamond didn't take the appropriate steps to disassociate himself from what was dubbed a 'cottage industry' and allowed Wyszynski to carry on with the production in return for part of the drugs.

Defence added that Diamond, who has had difficulty with drugs in the past, had learned a salutary lesson from what he dubbed as a terrifying experience.

A solicitor for Wyszynski, who has lived in Northern Ireland since 2007, saying the incident had been a watershed for him and that he has since become involved with the community addiction team to help him with his drugs problems.

In sentencing the three men, District Judge, Mr Richard Wilson, told them that their drug culture has to stop.

"You were all caught up in a do-it-yourself operation to save money. It is illegal and it has to stop now. If you are back before me for similar offences you will go to jail."

Both Skiba and Wyszynski were fined 1,000 and received three month jail sentences for their role in the operation. Diamond was fined 600 and sentenced two months in jail.

All three men had their custodial sentences suspended for two years.