The full file has been received in the case against two Vietnamese men accused of operating a cannabis factory in Markethill.
Ty Van Le (33) and Vinh Cong Pham (33), who are both currently in custody in Maghaberry, did not appear for the hearing before Armagh Magistrates’ Court, sitting at Newry Courthouse on Tuesday.
They are facing the charges of cultivating cannabis, possessing a Class B drug, attempted possession of a Class B drug, dishonestly causing electricity to be diverted, being concerned in the supply of Class B drugs and dishonestly using electricity.
The pair were arrested after the discovery of a suspected cannabis factory in the Main Street area of Markethill on October 3.
At the outset of the hearing, the prosecution advised the court that the file had been received and allocated to a senior prosecutor. In light of this, the prosecution requested a four week adjournment in anticipation of a decision.
Defence solicitor Ruairi Gillen commented: “There’s been an ongoing issue in terms of what the police and the Home Office were doing about their NRM referral to the National Referral Mechanism as victims of trafficking.”
District Judge Rafferty then adjourned the case, to appear before the court again on January 9.
At a previous hearing of the case, the delay in ascertaining whether the two men were trafficked into the country was branded “scandalous”.
At the time, Mr Gillen said: “The Home Office are supposed to make a decision in respect to the NRM (National Referral Mechanism) within five days. It’s quite frankly scandalous that it hasn’t been made as of now.”
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