Four deny drugs charges

The four appeared at court in Newtownards

Cannabis worth £250,000 which was seized in County Down last week had been brought in from Spain, a court has been told.

The claim was made at Newtownards Magistrate's Court on Saturday where four men appeared in connection with the find.

All four were charged with possession of cannabis and possession with intent to supply.

The defendants were: Gareth O'Neill, 23, of Old Mill Court, Newtownards; Aaron Gladwell, 25, of Glenford Road, Newtownards; Douglas MacKenzie, 26, of Grovehill Gardens, Bangor and Christopher Wright, 27, of Rosepark in Donaghadee.

The court heard that 50kg of cannabis was seized by police after stopping a car on the Donaghadee Road in Newtownards.

The drugs had earlier been delivered to and signed for at one of the defendant's homes, it was said.

The court heard that the men replied "No" or "Not guilty" when charged.

A detective inspector told court he believed the drugs had been imported from Spain and he could connect the men to the charges.

All four were remanded in custody to appear before the court again on Friday.