Three in court on drugs charges

Three men have appeared in court after a drugs seizure in County Antrim.

The accused are Damien Michael O'Connor, 34, from Oriel Drive, Downpatrick and Damien Casement, 34, from Killyleagh Street, Crossgar.

Also charged was James Gordon Withers, 43, from Doagh Road, Newtownabbey. All were charged with possessing a Class B drug with intent.

Amphetamines and cannabis estimated at £23,000 were found during a search in Newtownabbey on Friday, a court heard.

Mr Withers faces additional charges of possessing a Class C drug with intent, handling a stolen lawnmower and obstructing a police officer.

Belfast Magistrates Court was told on Saturday that the accused all made no reply when charged.

A detective said he believed he could connect the men to the charges.

He added that police allegedly found the drugs when they searched Mr Withers' house in Sunnyside, Doagh Road, Newtownabbey.

Seven bars of cannabis were discovered on top of a box on the back of a lawnmower and inside was a black bin bag containing the drug amphetamine.

Mr O'Connor and Mr Withers were both refused bail. All three are to reappear in court again next Friday.