Four on 'cocaine factory' charges

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Four men have appeared in court in connection with the discovery of an alleged cocaine factory in Belfast.

They were arrested on Wednesday at a flat in Clifton Drive in the north of the city following a drugs squad raid.

All four were charged with possessing cocaine valued by police at £80,000 with intent to supply, and conspiring to supply the class A drug.

Three of them were remanded in custody, while a fourth was released on bail to attend the birth of his first child.

Belfast men Joseph Kerr, 24, of Clifton Drive and Brian Cusack, 29, of Ardoyne Place, did not apply for bail and were remanded in custody.

Bail was refused to Joseph Edward Crane, 40, of Point Road, Killough, Downpatrick, after a detective sergeant objected to his application.

The three men were remanded in custody until 12 October.

Concerns

The detective said police also had concerns about the possible release of a fourth man, 25-year-old Edward Rosbotham of Clifton Park Avenue in Belfast.

His solicitor told the court that his girlfriend is about to give birth to his first child within days and that he was "very keen" to be there.

Releasing Mr Rosbotham on his own bail of £1,000 with a £1,000 cash surety to be lodged in court, the judge ordered him to obey a curfew and to report to police three times a week.