AN Irish national has been remanded in custody following a drug seizure at Harwich Port.

John Mullen, 68, from Clara, County Offaly, appeared at Colchester Magistrates’ Court last Thursday charged with the illegal importation of a Class B drug.

Mullen was remanded in custody to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on March 23.

He was arrested after Border Force officers detected a quantity of drugs at the port on February 4.

A Border Force spokesman said: “Tests are still being conducted on the seized items, which were found in a lorry that arrived at Harwich Port on a ferry from the Hook of Holland, but have already confirmed the presence of amphetamines.”

Following the Border Force detection, the case was referred to the National Crime Agency for investigation.