A company director appeared at Belfast Magistrates Court yesterday on drink smuggling charges following a major international operation by customs officers. Mr Gerard Keenan (32), from Blackwatertown, Dungannon, Co Tyrone, was charged with evading duty on 4,183 cases of spirits. The drink was purchased in Holland, Spain and Germany.
The unpaid duty amounted to approximately £350,000. Mr Keenan was remanded on bail of £10,000 in cash and a surety of £40,000. He is due in court again at Armagh on July 20th.