A barber store used as a entrance to launder UDA cocaine money is secretly part-owned by a pacesetter within the terror gang.
The not too long ago put in second-in-command (2IC) of the west Belfast UDA’s B firm — who's a recognized house-breaker — has a majority share within the enterprise.
It had been used to retailer cocaine till Sunday Life lifted the lid on its actual function final weekend. The category A drug was quietly distributed from the premises and a neighbouring enterprise to a gaggle of sellers who offered it all through north and west Belfast.
Nevertheless, that modified following our revelations which have brought about large disruption to the UDA’s money-spinning cocaine community.
The exposé has additionally heaped stress on UDA B firm boss Geordie Courtney, who has held numerous government-funded community-based jobs.
Loyalists are actually overtly questioning his judgment after it additionally emerged he appointed a convicted thief and former glue-sniffer the brand new navy commander of B firm.
The UDA: Why does it nonetheless exists?
This particular person can't be named as a result of he's at the moment earlier than the courts on critical legal prices, however he comes from a infamous household which incorporates convicted intercourse offenders and burglars.
“Veteran UDA members are asking whether or not Geordie has misplaced his thoughts by appointing these two,” a supply within the gang instructed Sunday Life.
“He has a serious drug supplier and house-breaker as his 2IC and a glue-sniffing thief as his navy commander. Is it any marvel B firm is a laughing inventory?
“The 2IC tried to hitch the UVF earlier than he joined the UDA, however they instructed him to clear off as a result of he used to interrupt into homes within the Glencairn property. Solely final week he was up in Ballymena burgling homes together with his cousin.”
Insiders say that revelations about how his barber store was on the centre of a cocaine distribution community despatched him right into a tailspin.
“The 2IC has a majority share within the barber store, however is a silent companion,” added our supply. “He’s hardly there, however was down final week after the Sunday Life story. It’s actually freaked him out and he’s needed to search for new locations to retailer his cocaine.”
The drug supplier’s UDA B firm boss Geordie Courtney has been arrested on a number of events in reference to critical criminality however freed with out cost.
A cousin of convicted killer Mo Courtney, the 60-year-old is usually seen within the firm of senior figures within the terror gang.
UDA insiders say he's paranoid about being named at a trial subsequent 12 months involving two loyalists charged with blackmail.
Police have mentioned in courtroom the alleged extortion try by Jonathan ‘Jonny Whip’ Sterling (36) and Stevie McLaughlin (40) was on behalf of the west Belfast UDA — one thing the pair deny. Loyalists declare Courtney is paranoid about being named as a UDA chief at their trial as he likes to undertake a low profile.
One other distinguished loyalist fretting over media protection of his hyperlinks to the fear gang is Roy Douglas. The 58-year-old had his house within the Shankill raided earlier this month by officers from the paramilitary crime taskforce as a part of an anti-drug dealing investigation.
That is the second time in 10 months that the property has been searched by cops on the lookout for medicine. The PSNI mentioned the newest operation shaped a part of a probe into “suspected criminality linked to the west Belfast UDA”.
UDA sources say Douglas, who typically leaves his entrance door open to chill out within the backyard, has had it completely closed amid fears he's going to be approached by journalists.
One other supply revealed: “Roy is a nervous wreck. He’s been hiding in the home with the door and blinds closed. Usually within the sunny climate he’d be sitting within the backyard, however there was no signal of him previously week.”
cbarnes@sundaylife.co.uk