Jail term forunder threatcity smuggler

A LONDONDERRY man was amongst five jailed on Monday for importing drugs with a street value of £1.2m in 2010.
Seven kilos of cocaine was imported.Seven kilos of cocaine was imported.
Seven kilos of cocaine was imported.

Police described Barry James Kavanagh (aged 32) as one of the principal operators. Three years ago his defence counsel said there was a death threat against him from “persons within the city of Derry.” Back in 2010 Kavanagh, of Belmont Avenue, was bailed on a £120k cash surety. At the time, Barry Gibson, defending, said his client could stay at an apartment close to Grosvenor Road PSNI station, adding: “There is a threat on his life from persons within the city of Derry.” Now Kavanagh has received a jail term for his involvement in the importation of drugs. Seven kilos of cocaine, 44kilogrammes of amphetamines and 40kilogrammes of cannabis were seized in Northern Ireland and England in February 2010. Four other men were also sentenced to between four and six years and will serve half their sentences in jail and half on licence. They are: Keith David Laffin, 31, of Brackenagh West Road, Ballymartin, Newry; Christopher Charles McNally, 28, of Donard Avenue, Bangor; Liam Patrick Young, 35, of Mourne View Park, Lisburn; and Gary John Stevenson, 30, of The Hawthorns, Annalong.

Det Supt Philip Marshall said: “We believe we have caught all the members of this organised crime group, ranging from the supplier in Holland and the principal operators, Barry Kavanagh and Liam Young, through to the drivers and couriers.”