Man tried to smuggle drugs into top security Maghaberry prison

A MAN being taken to prison planned to smuggle drugs in by concealing them between his buttocks, the High Court has heard.

Rafael Kontras’ bid to take diazepam into HMP Maghaberry was foiled because the tablets were too big to hide, it was alleged.

The 25-year-old, of no fixed address in the Armagh area, faces charges of possessing Class C drugs and breaching a restraining order.

During a failed bail application, a prosecution lawyer said he was arrested after allegedly going to the home of his ex-partner on 31 May.

Fiona O’Kane said the woman has a three-year order restraining Kontras from contacting her.

It was claimed that he was shouting and banging on her door for hours.

Kontras was later arrested and the diazepam discovered in his possession while in custody, according to the prosecution.

Mrs O’Kane told the court: “He said he intended to hide the drugs in his anus and smuggle them into Maghaberry Prison but had been unable to secrete them due to their size.”

Kontras insisted they were for his own personal use and not to supply, she added.

The court heard he has since pleaded guilty and is due to be sentenced in Craigavon later this month.

Defence counsel contended that he may end up serving more time in custody unless released now.

But refusing bail, Mr Justice Horner said he could not put Kontras’ ex-partner at risk.

He added: “I do not consider there are appropriate conditions I can impose to manage the risk.”