Pensioner charged with smuggling £1.6m of drugs

Pensioner charged with smuggling £1.6m of drugs

James Rice (69), who walked into the Magistrate’s Court dock with the aid of a stick, is facing charges of being concerned in the importation of class A and B drugs into the Island.

In total, 58 kg of cannabis with an estimated street value of £1,176,000, 3.2 kg of ecstasy worth £332,000 and 1 kg of cocaine valued at £100,000 were discovered on Saturday, the court heard.

The total street value of the drugs is estimated at £1,608,000.

Mr Rice, who is from Antrim in Northern Ireland and whose address was given as Grainne Drive, Belfast, spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth during the short hearing.

He was told that the case is to be committed to the Royal Court and was remanded into custody until his next appearance on 2 July.

The committal hearing is due to take place on 30 July.

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