£70,000 cocaine seizure inside locked bedroom

Two alleged street dealers located inside the room were arrested during Thursday’s raid in the Ballysillan area.

Brian Gribben, 20, of Silverstream Crescent, and 21-year-old Darryl Cromie, from Benview Drive, appeared before the city’s magistrates court on charges connected to the seizure.

Both Belfast men face counts of possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply.

Cromie is also charged with having Class B cannabis with intent to supply and possessing fireworks without a licence.

An investigating detective said police entered the house after a woman smoking at the front door told them more people were upstairs.

Voices were heard in a locked bedroom, but nobody opened the door.

“Entry was forced and the two defendants were sitting on the bed,” the detective said. “The drugs were in a rucksack.”

Tests on the compressed block of cocaine established an estimated street value of £70,000.

Opposing bail, the detective added: “This seizure is believed to relate to a larger supply and an organised crime gang, with other members who have not been identified at this time.”

Gribben and Cromie were remanded in custody after bail was refused.