Man denies having gun after ‘drugs turf war shooting’
AN ALLEGED drug dealer shot at vehicles in a residential Cardiff street as part of a “drugs turf war”, a court has heard.
Alfie Larkin, 24, is accused of firing gunshots in Greenway Road in Rumney as an “act of revenge” for an attack where he was reportedly stabbed with a machete.
Yesterday, Cardiff Crown Court heard that several bangs were heard outside an address in the street on the evening of January 12, 2019. Gunshot holes were found in a motor home and vehicles in the drive and cartridges and ammunition were located at the scene. The Grand Power gun was later found in concrete at the bottom of a plant pot – actions taken by Larkin’s friend and accomplice Rachel Crothers.
Opening the trial, prosecutor
Susan Ferrier told jurors a Volkswagen Passat insured by Larkin was being driven in the “vicinity” of the incident at the time of the shooting.
Around an hour later that night the defendant removed the vehicle from his insurance policy in order, Ms Ferrier said, to “cut off” any links to potential evidence.
Larkin was arrested a week later and two iPhones were seized by police, along with cash separated into £1,000 bundles and around £6,000 worth of designer clothes and footwear. The defendant was released on bail but “valuable” drug supply phone lines were found by officers on the phones worth between an estimated £37,000 and £66,000 over a 44-day period.
Larkin was later detained on arrival in the UK after a flight from Iceland in February 2019.
Ms Ferrier said: “The defendant was interviewed. He provided a prepared statement where he said he was not involved in the supply of drugs.”
Larkin, of High Road, London, denies possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and possession of a prohibited item.
The trial continues.