The alleged leader of a criminal gang involved in the sale of cannabis and other drugs in Fermanagh appeared at Fermanagh Court yesterday (Wednesday).

Alan Fitzpatrick was arrested at his home at Lisblake, Florencecourt, on Tuesday after police smashed two cannabis factories in the Derrylin area last December and seized drugs worth �176,000.

The 42-year-old is charged with growing cannabis at a house on the Molly Road at Drumdoney and another house on the Corratistune Road at Gormullan between June 1, and December 17, last year. He also faces two charges of possessing cannabis and two charges of possessing the drug with intent to unlawfully supply it to another person between May 1, and December 17, last year.

Asked if he understood the six charges, he replied: "Yea."

The investigating police officer told the court he believed he could connect Fitzpatrick to the charges.

Objecting to him being released on bail, the constable said that on Monday, December 17, last year, police searched a house on the Molly Road, Derrylin, and seized cannabis plants worth �46,000. On the same date they searched another house about three miles away on the Corratistune Road and seized cannabis plants worth �130,000. Officers arrested 37-year-old Marcus Weir, of Cloverhill Park, Springfield, Enniskillen, and interviewed him about the find at Molly Road. He was charged with a number of drugs offences and released on bail.

The constable said Weir was arrested again on Tuesday of this week, charged with further offences and released on bail.

He told the court that police discovered Fitzpatrick's fingerprint on an electrical transformer unit used to operate the lighting system at the cannabis factory on the Molly Road. Officers also found a parcel linked to Fitzpatrick's former address at Cavandale, Cavanaleck, Enniskillen. In it were Yo Yos, from which lights are suspended and can be moved up and down.

The investigating officer said that when police searched Fitzpatrick's home on the Lisblake Road on Tuesday they found a large quantity of equipment including an electrical circuit board, digital thermometers, water pumps, a growing tent, digital scales, and vacuum packing bags. He said police believed the latter would be used to bag cannabis. They also seized seven mobile telephones.

The officer said police believed the equipment was for setting up a cannabis factory. It was similar to equipment found at the two cannabis factories at Derrylin. The police concern was that if Fitzpatrick was released he would commit further offences.

"I believe he is still involved in setting up cannabis factories due to the fact that he had all this equipment at his home," the officer stated. He told the court that Fitzpatrick had 11 previous convictions for drugs offences on his criminal record but none since 1996.

"Police believe he is the leader of a criminal gang operating in Fermanagh involved in the sale of cannabis and other illegal drugs," the officer added.

In reply to questions from defence barrister Gavin Cairns, the officer said that Fitzpatrick's two co-accused, Marcus Weir and 36-year-old John Harvey from Cavandale, Enniskillen had been released on bail.

The officer also agreed that it was never put to Fitzpatrick during three police interviews on Tuesday that he held "a position of any seniority" in relation to his co-accused.

Mr. Cairns suggested that Fitzpatrick's partner regularly sells mobile phones at car boot sales.

The officer said Fitzpatrick "never spoke" and never gave an explanation for the phones.

Mr. Cairns told the court �5,000 was available for bail.

District Judge Liam McNally told Fitzpatrick: "In relation to the items found there appears to be a strong prima facie case against you."

However, he said there was a presumption of innocence and a presumption in favour of bail.

"The police intelligence is that you are a person who is a leading criminal in this area in respect of drugs," added the District Judge.

However, he said that would have to be decided at Fitzpatrick's trial.

He released him on �5,000 bail with a cash surety of �5,000 on condition that he abides by a curfew from 10pm until 8am "to make sure there's no question of you being involved in drugs".

He also ordered Fitzpatrick to be electronically tagged, report three times a week to police, not to have a mobile phone and not to be in a private car with anyone other than his partner or a person approved by the police.

The case was adjourned until August 19.