A man has appeared in court after the discovery of what is understood to be the biggest Class A drugs seizure in Northern Ireland.
National Crime Agency (NCA) officers seized 185kg of suspected cocaine, worth an estimated street value of £18.5m, from a lorry at Belfast Port.
Bulgarian national Giorgio Panchukov, 55, was arrested by the NCA after the authorities seized the consignment during checks on Monday.
He appeared at Belfast Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, charged with aiding and abetting the importation of Class A drugs.
He also faces further counts of possessing and being concerned in the supply of cocaine.
During the brief hearing Mr Panchukov, with an address in the Bulgarian city of Burgas, indicated that he understood the charges.
An NCA officer confirmed the drugs were stashed in the container area of a lorry, which was set to board a ferry to Scotland.
No application for bail was made, but defence barrister Sean O’Hare requested an assessment of the value of the seized drugs.
District Judge Steven Keown adjourned the case and remanded Mr Panchukov in custody until 18 June.
