MAN ARRESTED FOR DRUGS HAUL

AN Irishman has been charged in connection with a major drugs seizure in
France earlier this week.

The County Cavan man was the driver of a heavy goods vehicle detained near
Lille on Tuesday. French customs officials seized a sizeable quantity of
drugs, including ecstasy tablets, cannabis resin and one kilogram of
cocaine, believed to be destined for Ireland.

The exact value of the seizure has not been revealed, but the haul is
understood to have been worth over pounds 5 million.

The arrest took place on the highway near Lille, about 60 miles from the
port of Calais, from where the drugs were believed bound for Ireland. It is
not clear whether the man was aware of the illicit cargo in the vehicle,
but the Department of Foreign Affairs will be keeping his family informed
of developments.

He was handed over to the custody of French police after being detained by
customs officials on Tuesday.

Under the country's legal system, slower than proceedings in Ireland, the
Cavan man would have appeared before an examining magistrate this week, and
will probably remain in custody until the next court hearing, which might
not be for another couple of weeks.

Four other people were arrested in connection with the seizure, which is
believed to have followed cooperation between Irish and French customs
drugs units.