South East Antrim UDA drug rackets have suffered a big blow after one of many crime gang’s most trusted sellers was jailed for peddling cocaine.
Phil ‘Flea’ Kerr was sentenced to 11 months in jail after pleading responsible to possessing hundreds of kilos price of the drug with intent to produce.
Additional expenses of possessing firearms in suspicious circumstances have been left on the books.
When he's ultimately free of jail the 34-year-old, from the White Metropolis property in north Belfast, will spend an extra 17 months on licence.
Kerr was stopped driving a automotive containing cocaine packages by the PSNI in an intelligence-led operation in July 2021. Two firearms have been discovered throughout follow-up searches.
Though not a member of the SEA UDA the loyalist bandsman, who parades with Whitewell Tartan Flute Band, offered medicine for the crime group.
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Sources consider Kerr was arrange by a hated SEA UDA member from the Rathcoole space of Newtownabbey often called the ‘Rat’.
Till final 12 months this particular person was second-in-command of the gang within the property, however was stood down after locals complained he was terrorising them.
The ‘Rat’, who is thought to have overwhelmed former girlfriends, is now in a relationship with the daughter of a UVF gunman.
“The Rat is being blamed on establishing Phil Kerr, and offering info to his police handlers about different UDA drug sellers,” a supply within the gang instructed Sunday Life.
There was fairly a couple of drug arrests and police raids in Rathcoole up to now 12 months, and the data might solely come from somebody throughout the UDA.
“The Rat is the primary suspect as a result of he’s an axe to grind after being stood down and overwhelmed. When he was demoted he additionally misplaced a variety of revenue from the UDA medicine rackets he managed.”
Kerr is known to have solely been in possession of the cocaine packages for a short while earlier than his automotive was stopped by police.
After his arrest he stopped associating with the ‘Rat’ and as an alternative cast hyperlinks with a significant drug seller within the White Metropolis property often called ‘Turkey Enamel’.
This legal is the grandson of the second-in-command (2IC) of the UVF’s East Antrim brigade.
Publicly the veteran loyalist opposes medicine, however in personal he's pleased to show a blind eye to his cocaine dealing relative who he helps shield.
“Turkey Enamel had Phil Kerr working across the White Metropolis delivering medicine for him as properly,” added our loyalist supply.
“Kerr is only a large fool who would do something for cash.
“He is aware of he was arrange although and he could have the subsequent 11 months in jail to consider it. He's additionally on account of be married quickly and that’s going to should be cancelled.
“SEA UDA members are actually taking a look at how Gary Fisher (its chief) handles this as a result of it's clear there's a drug tout within the ranks.”
The latest MI5/police intelligence evaluation of the SEA UDA, which has 2,000 members, describes it as “getting access to arms” and being “closely concerned in medicine provide, group coercion, intimidation and different criminality”.