A Co Antrim welder has appeared in court accused of smuggling 18 kilos of herbal cannabis across the Irish Sea.
Standing in the dock of Belfast Magistrates Court on Saturday, William Stewart (42) confirmed he understood the four charges against him, including importing herbal cannabis, being concerned in the supply of the class B drug, possession with intent to supply and simple possession.
All offences are alleged to have been committed on Friday.
A police officer told the court he believed he could connect Stewart to each of the charges.
He said police were objecting to bail due to fears over Stewart committing further offences, fleeing the jurisdiction, destroying evidence and that he may face “retribution” from criminal elements.
He outlined how Stewart had travelled from England to the port at Cairnryan, arriving in Belfast by ferry at 5.30am on Friday.
A Ford Transit van was searched and in a secure box hidden under tyres and welding equipment, police uncovered 18 kilos of herbal cannabis in vacuum packs.
The court heard police estimate the street value of the haul to be around £325,000.
Arrested and interviewed Stewart, of Dundrod Road at Nutts Corner, refused to answer questions.
The police officer said he also refused to provide the passcodes for two mobile phones police seized.
The officer suggested Stewart “may have access to money if he has been involved in criminality to this extent” which would facilitate him fleeing and further that “there may be some retribution to him” as a result of the seizure.
But defence solicitor Garett McCann submitted there was “absolutely no evidence” to support either contention.
He argued that with six young children all living in Northern Ireland, “he is highly unlikely to flee” and the claim of potential retribution is “routinely made by police” in drug cases.
Mr McCann submitted that with a bail address with his parents and the defendant’s father willing to put up a £2,000 cash surety that “this man could easily be managed on bail” with conditions attached.
But District Judge Rosalie Prytherch refused the bail application.
She said despite the “fulsome” defence application, it was her view Stewart does face “an element of retribution” because “clearly this is a significant amount of drugs so someone is any a loss”.
Remanding Stewart into custody, the judge adjourned the case to November 5.
