About €150,000 worth of jewellery found hidden inside a catalogue being brought through Dublin airport led customs investigators to find about €100,000 in cash at a city address, a court has heard.
Yesterday, a judge extended a temporary detention order on the cash, of which father and son Dennis and Keith Cusack, South Anne Street, Dublin, claim ownership.
Dublin District Court heard the search of the Cusacks' address followed the seizure of a consignment of jewellery which was found hidden in a catalogue by means of a hole cut in its centre.
The money, in various currencies, had been sent by air courier from the US on June 22nd, 2004.
A warrant was obtained, the first under extended new powers granted by the Proceeds of Crime (Amendment) Act, to search the Cusacks' premises the following day.
Officers found €20,000 and £8,500, of which Dennis Cusack claimed ownership. Another €54,000, $13,000, £2,640 and €2,000 in travellers cheques was found, which his son claimed as his.
Customs investigators believed the money was to be used to pay for the jewellery, on which no duty had been paid, and that it was the proceeds of crime.
Yesterday, they were granted further time to complete their investigations into the origin of the cash.
A letter on behalf of Dennis Cusack was handed to court stating he did not object to an extension of the investigation until November 11th.
Keith Cusack made no appearance, and the cash he claims was his will be detained for a further three months.