The family of an alleged drug dealer who was murdered in Belfast last month has protested the dead man's innocence in court.
Christopher Johnston (38), a father of five, was murdered by Direct Action Against Drugs (DAAD) on December 19th because of his alleged involvement in smuggling over £1/4 million worth of cannabis from Spain.
In Belfast Crown Court yesterday, Johnston's lawyer told Judge John McKee: "I am instructed to say on behalf of the relatives that Mr Johnston was innocent."
Johnston was to have been tried with two other men and a mother of two who were also charged with possessing 33 kilos of cannabis resin and importing the drug.