A YOUNG man facing serious drug charges is alleged to have aggressively tried to obstruct Gardaí from accessing information on his phone which they found when they were searching his bedroom.
Judge Fiona Lydon heard at Galway District Court that Gardaí were searching the defendant’s home on foot of a search warrant sanctioned by a judge.
During the search Gardaí discovered cocaine to the value of €2,102 and cannabis to the value of €197, the Court was told. While searching the defendant’s bedroom, they found his phone and, while taking possession of it, it is alleged the young man aggressively grabbed the phone and tried to damage it.
The Judge was told that investigating Gardaí believed there was information relating to the defendant’s alleged drug activities stored on the phone and this was covered by the search warrant. He is charged with dealing; possession for sale or supply of an illegal substance.
The defendant had already been shown the warrant and knew the Gardaí were entitled to check it, the Court was told.
Judge Lydon said €2,102 was a lot of cocaine but she would reluctantly accept jurisdiction for the case to be heard in the District Court.
She adjourned matters until January 13 when the defendant will face charges of possession of controlled substances, possession for sale or supply and obstruction of Gardaí in the course of their duties.
