Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Pensioner’s tears over £250,000 cannabis trial
Court told haul sent to woman’s home
A PENSIONER wept in court yesterday as she faced charges linked to a wider probe into suspected multi-million pound drug trafficking.
Margaret Watters, 64, was arrested with her partner Peter Lam, 74, and his 62-year-old “casino buddy” Lin Yang after £250,000 worth of cannabis was seized.
All three are accused of possessing Class B drugs with intent to supply, conspiracy to supply and being concerned in attempted importation. They were detained on Monday after police found £150,000 of cannabis in Egeria Street in South Belfast and a £100,00 haul in Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh.
Revealing the consignments came from Spain, a detective told the court: “These seizures are in relation to larger-scale investigations, it would be multi-million pound.”
Chinese nationals
Lam, of Skyline Drive in Lisburn, Co Antrim, and Yang, of no fixed abode, were remanded in custody.
Watters, of Loughshore Road, Belleek, Co Fermanagh, sobbed into a handkerchief as she was led into the dock of Belfast Magistrates’ Court separately.
Opposing bail, a detective claimed she had been evasive and selective during questioning about the seizures. It was claimed
BELFAST MAGISTRATES YESTERDAY
officers found an unopened parcel of cannabis at Watters’ home following the interception of a previous package.
She admitted signing for the delivery but insisted she knew nothing about its contents, the court heard.
According to police Watters could be “coerced” to carry out further acts by Lam, her long-term partner.
A defence solicitor said the pensioner provided a full account to police.
Granting bail, Deputy District Judge Joe Rice told Watters she was fortunate to be getting out of custody.