A north Belfast man whose home was searched as part of a police investigation into UDA drug-dealing activities has been jailed for eight months.
Jordan Doherty-Graham, of Silver Birch Courts, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine on dates between April 14, 2023, and August 16, 2023.
A prosecution lawyer told Belfast Crown Court that police had cause to search a property at Ambleside Close, in the north of the city, which was connected to the 31-year-old.
During the planned search, a mobile phone was seized as part of the drugs probe.
The court heard that Doherty-Graham provided the PIN code for the phone, the examination of which revealed “incriminating messages” which showed that the defendant received texts concerning drug supply.
“The examination revealed 15 conversations with 12 people. He [Doherty-Graham] was offering to supply them with drugs and received payment from customers,” said the prosecutor.
“The messages showed he was making a profit of between £250 and £350 per week.
“He was a drug user himself and was selling drugs at the direction of others.”
During police interviews conducted in November 2024, the father-of-two admitted dealing cocaine to friends but denied making any profit from his activities.
“He said he was selling cocaine to fund his own drug use. This was a low-level drug supply enterprise,” said the prosecution.
Defence barrister John O’Connor handed in a reference from Doherty-Graham’s current employer which he said spoke to his client’s “work ethic, skills, dependability and value to the business”.
Mr O’Connor told the court his client made the case that he started abusing cocaine after being “bereaved in tragic circumstances”.
In a pre-sentence report, the Probation Board assessed that Doherty-Graham has a low likelihood of reoffending and that he showed insight into the consequences of his behaviour.
The report added that Doherty-Graham had expressed remorse for his conduct, saying he wished to better himself, avail of counselling and remain abstinent from taking drugs.
Following legal submissions, Judge Mark McGarrity said an immediate custodial sentence was “unavoidable”, adding that there were no exceptional circumstances that would allow him to suspend the sentence.
Imposing a 16-month sentence, Judge McGarrity said Doherty-Graham would spend a further eight months on supervised licence after his release from prison.
Following sentencing today, PSNI Detective Sergeant Gourley said officers from the force’s Paramilitary Crime Task Force conducted a search of a property in north Belfast on Wednesday, August 16, 2023.
“The search was in relation to criminality linked to the West Belfast UDA,” added DS Gourley.
“A mobile phone was seized, which contained evidence of drug supply.
“Those who deal in drugs remain a priority for the Paramilitary Crime Task Force and we will continue to robustly and proactively pursue those who are intent on damaging our communities by supplying illegal drugs.
“I would encourage anyone with information that could assist in our efforts to contact us on the non-emergency number 101, or submit a report online using our non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/.
“You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online.”