Graeme Strong (36) of Camgart Road, Fivemiletown appeared at Enniskillen Magistrates Court on Monday where he pleaded guilty to a range of drug offences relating to two separate incidents last year. 

These included possession of Class A drugs, namely cocaine, possession of Class B drugs, cannabis, and possession of Class C drugs, namely valium  and diazepam. He was also charged with cultivating cannabis, possession of Class B with intent to supply, and possession of Class C drugs with intent to supply. 

Strong was first detected on April 7, after a package intended for him, containing valium tablets worth £5,000, was returned to the Post Office after being rejected at his brother’s business address in Fivemiletown. 

Following this, police called to Strong’s home and carried out a search, where they found a piece of suspected cannabis, suspected cannabis seedlings, “super skunk” seeds, and “dealer” bags.

When arrested and interviewed at Enniskillen, Strong said he’d bought the tablets from himself and another brother. He also said the cannabis growing materials had been “an experiment” for this brother. 

Strong was detected on the second occasion after staff at DV8 in Enniskillen found a small bag of pills and a small clear bag of white powder, which had been dropped by Strong who said he’d been holding it between his buttocks and had dropped it while trying on a pair of trousers. 

Another search was carried out on Strong’s home and small amounts of herbal cannabis and pills were recovered. 

The solicitor said Strong, who the court heard had “a substantial” previous criminal record and has served time in prison in the past,  had experienced very substantial tragic events in his life, which had contributed to his drug use and offending. He urged the court to allow him a chance to turn his life around and break free from his drug addiction, which he was currently trying to do.

District Judge Bonita Boyd said Strong had been in possession of Class A, B and C drugs, and with his previous record and what she perceived to be a risk to the public, she believed the custody threshold had been passed. 

Judge Boyd sentenced Strong to a total of seven months in prison for all charges.