A Co Antrim welder accused of smuggling 18 kilos of herbal cannabis into Northern Ireland is to be released on bail, a High Court judge has ruled.
William Stewart faces charges connected to the £325,000 haul of drugs discovered in the back of his van at Belfast Port on October 11.
The 42-year-old, from Dundrod Road in Crumlin was stopped after arriving at Belfast Port on a ferry crossing from Cairnryan in Scotland.
Prosecutors said he told National Crime Agency officers that he was returning from carrying out work in the Aldershot area.
Searches of the Ford Transit van uncovered 18 kilos of vacuum packed cannabis inside a wooden box constructed in the rear of the vehicle.
The consignment has an estimated street value of £325,000, according to the authorities.
During interviews he provided no comment to questions and declined to provide passcodes for two mobile phones confiscated from him.
Stewart has been charged with possessing, importing and being concerned in the supply of Class B drugs.
Bail was opposed amid claims he could flee due to the strength of the evidence against him.
But defence lawyers argued that his family was prepared to put up cash guarantees to secure his release.
Granting bail, Mr Justice Humphreys ordered that a total of £3,500 must be lodged as part of the conditions.