Court hears '£200,000' worth of cannabis was found in suitcase after flight from Manchester to Belfast International Airport
A man is charged with possession with intent to supply after '£200,000' worth of cannabis was found in a suitcase at Belfast International Airport.
The 22-year-old appeared at Ballymena Magistrates Court on Thursday via video link from Maghaberry Prison where he has been on remand.
A police officer said the defendant was arrested on May 21 this year "after trying to bring in approximately £200,000 worth of cannabis" on a flight to Belfast from Manchester. The drugs were vacuum-packed.
The officer said the accused said he didn't know what was in the suitcase but that he had to give the suitcase to a "Chinese person".
He said there was a risk of re-offending and a risk of flight. The defendant had "no record," the officer said.
A defence barrister said the defendant – Ronaldo Filipe Iureca-Usciuc, with an address listed on his charge sheet as Ballards Lane in North Finchley in London but said to have been living in Manchester – claimed he was "duped".
Bail was refused. The defendant was remanded in custody and the case was adjourned to July 21.