Man (63) charged over €4m cannabis haul

A 63-year-old man was tonight charged in connection with the seizure of the largest cannabis haul yet in Northern Ireland.

A 63-year-old man was tonight charged in connection with the seizure of the largest cannabis haul yet in Northern Ireland.

He was charged with possession and with possession with intent to supply Class B drugs following the discovery of cannabis with a street value of £2.75 million (€4 million) in Co Down yesterday.

The drugs were uncovered during the search of a freight company premises at Annahilt close to the village of Hillsborough.

Police said the man was expected to appear at Lisburn Magistrates Court tomorrow morning.

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Earlier, police said the half a tonne of cannabis was smuggled into Northern Ireland from Spain hidden in large tins of tomato sauce.

Superintendent George McAulay, head of the PSNI Drug Squad said: "This is the most significant network we have uncovered so far.

"The cannabis was sealed in the tins, put in boxes and paletted as a legitimate freight."

PA