THREE men have appeared in court after police confiscated £ 200,000 worth of cocaine linked to the East Belfast UVF.
Rev. McCarten, Edward Jackson and Francis Magee were arrested after officers from the Crimes Paramilitary Task Force saw the drug being moved.
All three have appeared in Belfast Court of First Instance today on charges of drugs after confiscation 24 hours earlier.
Jackson (55) and McCarten (41) are both charged with possession of a Class A drug with intent to supply, possession of a Class C drug, and possession of criminal property.
Magee (64) faces a single charge for being concerned about the supply of cocaine.
A detective sergeant told the court that the trio were part of a gang of drug traffickers who have strong ties to the Belfast East UVF.
He said that at 10:30 a.m. Friday, McCarten was seen entering his home in Tamery Pass, east of Belfast, followed shortly afterwards by Jackson, who was carrying a white bag.
Five minutes later, Magee was seen entering the property with an orange bag before quickly reappearing without her. Jackson was then seen leaving with the orange bag, followed by a flat on Beersbridge Road.
When officers attacked the apartment, they found in the bag five packets of alleged cocaine with an estimated street value of £ 200,000.
When McCarten’s house was searched, officers found a small amount of cocaine and £ 1,300 in cash.
Opposing McCarten’s release on bail, the officer said he was suspected of having a controlling role in the gang.
McCarten’s attorney said the drugs were not found in the client’s home, that there were no forensic experts linking him to the drugs, and denied any involvement.
He said the cash found was gambling winnings, which McCarten is addicted to, and has a clear criminal record.
District Judge Amanda Henderson denied bail, saying it was a serious investigation and a risk of delinquency.
Jackson, of Beersbridge Road, and Magee, of Cloverfield Street, both east of Belfast, were arrested in prison, and bail applications will be filed on June 8th.