Man faces £120,000 airport cocaine charges
A drugs "mule" attempted to flee from Belfast City Airport when £120,000 worth of cocaine was found in his suitcase, a court has heard.
A detective told the court Samuel Walker was chased and stopped by Special Branch officers after two 1kg packages were found last Friday.
Mr Walker, who is 21 and from Essex, is accused of possession and possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.
He was remanded in custody to appear again next month.
Belfast Magistrates Court was told he had allegedly agreed to bring the drugs in because of money he owed.
It was also disclosed that he is under investigation for a separate suspected trafficking incident from Ibiza.
The detective told the court that searches of Mr Walker's house uncovered tickets to Amsterdam.
Although, the accused claimed they were for a social trip, the detective said it raised concerns that he may flee if released.
Details were also disclosed of an alleged Mediterranean link.
The detective said: "We don't know the extent of his involvement there. However, he would accept he is on bail from Ibiza in relation to drug trafficking there."
A defence solicitor stressed that the extent of any connection was still unknown.
He said Mr Walker had accepted his link to the cocaine found at Belfast City Airport from the outset.
"Quite often in these cases people are denying their involvement," the lawyer said.
"It was a very unsophisticated attempt. Simply some drugs were put in his suitcase."
However, District Judge Fiona Bagnall refused to grant bail due to the risk of re-offending.