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National Crime Agency (NCA) officers have charged a man with drugs offences as part of an investigation into the seizure of 185kg of cocaine, discovered hidden inside a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) at Belfast Port.
Understood to be the biggest Class A find in Northern Ireland, the drugs would have a street value of about £18.5 million.
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 HGV, 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.
