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Two men appeared in court in Northern Ireland today charged with importing a  cannabis valued at £500,000 (€558,000)

Officers discovered the drugs at Portadown Road, Armagh, following a cross-border policing operation involving officers from the PSNI's Organised Crime Branch and the Garda National Drugs Unit.

George Norman Boyd Courtney (27), from Royal Court, Gracehill, Ballymena and Edward Bamber (41), from Grange Avenue spoke only to confirm their names during a brief hearing at Newry Magistrates’ Court.

Mr Courtney, who was arrested in Armagh, was also accused of conspiring to export cannabis
on November 7th while Mr Bamber, detained in Lisburn, faced six charges including possession of cannabis with intent to supply, and concealing criminal property.

Detective Constable Michael Lewis told District Judge Sarah Creanor he could connect the accused to the charges.

They were remanded in custody to reappear via video link on November 17th at Armagh Magistrates’ Court.