Nearly £300,000 worth of pure cocaine seized in north Belfast was transported across the border under an arrangement made with a Dublin-based crime gang, a court heard on Wednesday.
The drugs were discovered after police detained two men at separate locations during a police operation on Monday.
Adnan Yusef, 24, of Colthurst Crescent in Dublin, and Pearce Elwood, 23, from Parkend Street in Belfast, both face charges connected to the seizure.
Belfast Magistrates’ Court heard Yusef was driving a BMW 1 Series stopped in the Rathlin Street area of the city.
Officers located a one kilo block of high purity cocaine and 1,000 euros in cash in the rear of the car.
During interviews Yusef claimed debts led to him becoming involved in the scheme under duress.
Detectives were informed that he owed an organised crime group (OCG) in Dublin up to 15,000 euros.
Elwood was stopped on foot at Ardilea Street in the Ardoyne area of north Belfast while carrying a bag containing a further three blocks of cocaine, the court heard.
He provided no comment to questions, but expressed fears for his own safety.
“He feels he may be subject to extreme violence as a result of the financial loss,” an investigating detective said.
District Judge Natasha Fitzsimons was told the seized drugs have an estimated street value of £280,000.
Police believe Yusef brought the shipment of cocaine across the border, delivered three kilos to Elwood and planned to make a further delivery before he was arrested.
“He also admitted in interviews that he did a run to the north of Ireland at least once before, and various runs in the south of Ireland,” the detective added.
Yusef, who is charged with possessing and supplying Class A drugs, as well as having criminal property, allowed police full access to his phone.
But the court heard he is suspected of using an encrypted platform while under the control and direction of a crime gang based in Dublin.
“This is a cross-border investigation where we are going to have to liaise with the Garda,” the detective stated.
“An organised criminal network between a Dublin OCG and a Belfast OCG has arranged this.”
Yusef’s solicitor, Eoghan McKenna, argued that Yusef had fully cooperated with the probe and provided a full account to police.
“There were issues about money owed and his family being threatened,” the lawyer added.
With two of Yusef’s sisters offering a £5,000 cash surety to secure his release, Judge Fitzsimons ruled he can be released on bail if an agreed address is obtained in Northern Ireland.
He must also allow inspections of an approved mobile phone as part of strict conditions.
Elwood faces charges of possessing and being concerned in the supply of cocaine in connection with the seizures.
His barrister described him as a young man with significant mental health and substance abuse problems.
“It doesn’t appear that he leads an extravagant lifestyle that one might expect from someone ordinarily engaged in this kind of activity,” she submitted.
Refusing bail and remanding Elwood in custody until June 17, the judge told him: “There is a risk you will reoffend.“
