Bellaghy plasterer fined after being caught with drugs in his underpants
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Gary Mawhinney, 24, a plasterer from Ballyscullion Road, was fined a total of £240 for possessing cocaine and cannabis.
A second man, Corrie Mawhinney, 20, groundsman, from William Street in Bellaghy was fined £90 for possessing herbal cannabis.
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Hide AdThe court heard the offences came to light when police on mobile patrol stopped a car and spoke to the occupants on the evening of October 8.
A PPS lawyer said officers detected an odour inside and on searching the vehicle they found a plastic bag containing white powder and a lunch box containing herbal cannabis.
She said Gary Mawhinney informed police that he had a small bag of drugs in his underpants. A subsequent search at the home of Corrie Mawhinney uncovered a small quantity of cannabis, she said.
A defence lawyer pointed out that Corrie Mawhinney had no previous convictions and he had cannabis at home to help to get to sleep as he had been the victim of a stabbing some years ago.
He explained Gary Mawhinney was a passenger in the car and made a full admission to police before he was taken to the police station. The lawyer added the drugs were for his personal use.