Court hears '£1 million' worth of cannabis found in consignment of sofas at Larne port
Cannabis with an estimated street value of '£1 million' was found in a consignment of sofas in a vehicle stopped at Larne, a court has heard.
A 38-year-old man is charged with possessing cannabis with intent to supply; possessing MDMA with intent to supply; possession of MDMA and cocaine; and possession of 'criminal property’ on December 17 2025.
Krystian Wierzbicki, with an address listed as Fernagh Road, Newtownabbey, appeared at Antrim Magistrates Court, sitting in Ballymena on Tuesday, via video link from prison, seeking bail.
At a previous court he had the assistance of a Polish interpreter. Objecting to bail at Tuesday's court, a police officer said a van was stopped at Larne port.
The defendant was a passenger. Previously, a court had heard the drugs found were worth "upwards of £250,000"
At Tuesday's court, a police officer said eventually 17 kilos of drugs were found and an expert valued the cannabis at "£1 million".
Wierzbicki had denied any knowledge of the drugs. Fingerprint and DNA analysis is taking place and phones are also being examined.
The court heard the defendant had a record. He was convicted for possession of a Class A drug with intent to supply and given a suspended sentence in 2025.
The court was told another another suspect in the Larne incident had a clear record and is on bail.
A defence solicitor said Wierzbicki has spent six months in custody on remand.
He said police originally located four kilos of cannabis and the rest of the drugs which had been in the van were not discovered until a week later.
Bail was refused and case was adjourned to July 9.