AN order restraining Mr David Huck, an Englishman, from reducing his assets in Ireland below £475,000 or disposing of two properties in Co Clare was extended by the High Court yesterday.
Mr Huck, who disappeared four years ago from Ireland, was arrested by British police last October on board a boat in the Bay of Biscay and charged with attempting to import four tonnes of cannabis resin in the UK. He is currently in Horefield Prison in Bristol, it was stated.
Mr Shane Murphy, counsel for the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB), told the President of the High Court, Mr Justice Costello, that Mr Huck's solicitors had asked in correspondence for a one month adjournment of the case. The judge agreed to a request by the CAB for a two week adjournment and for the continuation of the order made on January 29th. He extended the order restraining Mr Huck or anyone acting on his behalf from selling, transferring or dealing with the Co Clare properties.
Mr Barry Galvin, CAB's chief legal officer, had said in an affidavit that Mr Huck left Ireland "hurriedly" on July 10th, 1993, prior to the arrest of a yacht which was owned by him, The Brime, off the Irish coast. Two tonnes of cannabis resin with a street value of £20 million were found on board.
In an affidavit, Mr Galvin said Mr Huck had failed to pay an income tax demand of £249,572, which, together with interest, now totalled £449,542.