A Whitecross man who faces a litany of drugs charges, including conspiracy to import Class A and B, will face Crown Court proceedings later this month.
The 44-year-old appeared before Armagh Magistrates’ Court, sitting at Newry, on Tuesday for the purposes of a preliminary enquiry (PE), the legal process during which a case is referred to the higher court.
John McGivern, of Kingsmill Road, is charged with being concerned in the supply of Class A, being concerned in the supply of Class B, two counts of encouraging the supply of Class A, two counts of encouraging the supply of Class B, two counts of conspiring to fraudulently import Class A, conspiring to fraudulently import Class B, offering to supply Class A, offering to supply Class B and two counts of entering an arrangement to acquire criminal property.
As the charges were read, court heard that all of the offences were alleged to have been committed between January 1 and June 2, 2020.
Appearing before the court, the defendant made no objection to the holding of a preliminary enquiry.
Prosecution submitted that based on the papers before the court there was a prima facie case to answer.
Defence counsel made no contrary submissions.
District Judge Bernie Kelly, satisfied there was a prima facie case to answer, released McGivern on continuing bail to appear before Newry Crown Court on March 31 for arraignment.
