Armagh man refused bail over NI's biggest cocaine seizure

The cocaine was concealed under a false floor of a meat truck in Jonesborough on 11 December

A 38-year-old man has been refused bail after being charged in connection with what police say is the largest ever seizure of cocaine in Northern Ireland.

Ciaran McBride, of Mellifont Drive in Armagh, was arrested after officers found cocaine worth an estimated £10m in Jonesborough, County Armagh.

The drugs were discovered under a false floor in a frozen meat truck.

Mr McBride also faces charges relating to paying for sexual services and a number of motoring offences.

Newry Magistrates Court heard that he had been at an industrial park on the Lower Foughill Road in Jonesborough when his vehicle was searched on 11 December.

That road runs parallel to the border stretch of the main Dublin-Belfast road.

'Organised crime'

Mr McBride is charged with driving while disqualified, driving without insurances and having no goods vehicle test certificate.

The paying for sexual services charge relates to a search of his phone.

A bail application was made, with defence solicitor Danny McNamee stating that his client was not a flight risk and that there was no risk of reoffending.

However this was refused by district judge Eamon King who said: "This is a serious offence. The estimated value is £10m.

"This is not an amateur operation. This is organised crime at its highest level."

Mr McBride was remanded into custody and is due to appear in court again on 16 January.