According to the prosecution, both men were threatened and informed that they were financially responsible for the misdirected cannabis
A man charged with drugs and blackmail offences over the loss of 50kg of herbal cannabis smuggled into Northern Ireland is to be released from custody, a High Court judge ruled today.
Reece Andrew Klewchuk faces prosecution in connection with alleged arson threats made to a lorry driver who transported the consignment to the wrong address.
The 32-year-old father of two was granted bail on condition that a £10,000 surety is lodged.
Klewchuk, of Derganagh Road in Knockcloghrim, Co Derry, is charged with blackmail, being concerned in the supply of Class B drugs and perverting the course of justice.
Police were alerted earlier this year by a lorry driver who disclosed he had been transporting drugs from England to members of an organised crime gang (OCG) based in Northern Ireland.
He told detectives that he delivered 50kg of herbal cannabis to the wrong person and then received demands to either return the drugs or pay cash to cover the lost consignment, the court heard.
He stated that he had made a number of previous deliveries under the directions of a second lorry driver.
According to the prosecution, both men were threatened and informed that they were financially responsible for the misdirected cannabis.
In January one of the lorry drivers texted Klewchuk as police searched his house.
The defendant allegedly replied: “Ditch your phone, be smart, think of the consequences, get a solicitor.”
Klewchuk enforced the threat by sending a video of an arson attack on a property in Cushendun, Co Antrim associated with the other driver, it was claimed.
A mobile phone linked to the defendant contained multiple demands for cash.
He is accused of facilitating the supply of large amounts of herbal cannabis on up to six occasions, receiving £2,000 payments for each run.
During questioning Klewchuk claimed a £120,000 debt had been passed on to him after the cannabis was lost.
Police previously said he has been assessed as a senior member of the OCG involved in the supply of herbal cannabis throughout the United Kingdom.
But defence counsel disputed the high-ranking role attributed to Klewchuk.
“Someone under pressure is unlikely to be at the top of the organisation,” the barrister submitted.
“What we have here is someone being exploited by people further up the chain to enforce what they are saying is a debt owed to them by him.”
Granting bail, Mr Justice McAlinden also imposed a curfew and ordered Klewchuk to allow police full access to his mobile phone.
