TWO men have been remanded into custody after police seized cocaine valued at £750,000 in Portadown.
Standing in the dock of Craigavon Magistrates Court, 32-year-olds Anthony Duggan from Seymour Hill House in Lisburn and Steven McGrath, from Bocombra Hill in Portadown were both charged with possession of class A cocaine on December 9 and having the drug with intent to supply.
McGrath is also charged with being concerned in the supply of a class A drug.
The charges arose after officers stopped two vehicles in Portadown on Wednesday and found the drugs in follow up searches of five properties.
Detectives seized 4.5 kilos of cocaine, along with 10 kilos of benzocaine which can be used as a mixing agent to increase the amount of cocaine available for sale.
On Friday an investigating officer told the court he believed he could connect the men to their respective charges and confirmed that Duggan has made the case he had been offered £800 to act as a courier.
No bail applications were made so District Judge Mervyn Bates remanded them into custody to appear again via videolink on January 8.
Arrested during the same operation but not brought before the court, a 26-year-old woman has already been released pending a report to the PPS while a 34-year-old man was released on police bail pending further enquiries.
Speaking at the time of the seizure, Detective Inspector Alan Pyper said: "We believe we have taken a substantial quantity of cocaine out of circulation and removed a significant amount of drugs manufacturing equipment including a cocaine press and blenders.
"Our enquiries are continuing, as does our commitment to taking drugs off the streets and putting those involved in this activity before the courts.
"I would encourage anyone with information about illegal drugs activity to contact police. We will act on your information."
