A soldier who ran from an ongoing drug deal has admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine.
Ashkin Naim appeared before Craigavon Crown Court today where defence counsel Stuart Magee asked for his client to be re-arraigned on two of the four charges against him.
The 27-year-old defendant, from the Stone Road, Eston in Middlesbrough, subsequently pled guilty to being concerned in the supply of the class A drug and possessing criminal property, namely cash.
Last December, his co-accused and fellow soldier Harry Phillips (25), c/o Thiepval Barracks in Lisburn, admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine, possessing the class A drug with intend to supply and possessing criminal property, all committed on August 1, 2023.
Phillips also admitted a further charge of being concerned in the supply of cocaine between July 17 and August 2, 2023.
An earlier court heard how the charges arose after police on patrol in Lisburn city centre rushed to Phillips’ car suspecting there was drug dealing taking place from it.
In an arrest captured on CCTV footage, as a uniformed officer wrenches open the driver’s door, Naim can be seen opening the passenger door and before making his escape.
Inside Phillips’ car, officers seized 24.5 grams of cocaine and over £400 in cash.
But having taken a flight back to England the following day, Naim was arrested a few days later.
The earlier court also heard how there were text messages between the pair where they discussed selling drugs.
In court today, Judge Patrick McGurgan freed Naim on continuing bail and ordered a pre-sentence report from the Probation Board.
He said he would deal with both men on May 16.