Irish tourist caught in €500,000 drug haul in Australia

AN IRISH tourist in Australia is expected to go on trial on serious drug charges after being found in a vehicle with a large quantity of cannabis.

The 27-year-old Irishman is in jail after attempting to flee from police who stopped the vehicle in which he was travelling at the weekend.

The incident happened in the early hours of Sunday morning on the New England Highway - the main inland route between the cities of Sydney and Brisbane.

New South Wales police said the cannabis haul had an estimated street value of $750,000 Australian dollars (approximately €500,000).

It is believed the stash was destined for a tourist resort area on the Pacific coast.

Local police originally stopped the car for a speeding offence south of the town of Tenterfield, about 700 kilometres north of Sydney.

However, the arresting highway patrol officer conducted a full search of the car after noticing a strong smell.

During a search of the vehicle, police discovered around 70 kilogrammes of cannabis in the 4WD vehicle.

During the search, it is understood the Irishman attempted to escape the scene but was captured within a short while after he fell into a blackberry bush while being chased by police.

The other male occupant of the car, a 35-year-old Australian, was also arrested.

Both men were brought on a two-hour journey from Tenterfield to the town of Armidale for a court appearance yesterday morning.

Although New South Wales police were unable to provide any details of the court hearing, it is understood the Irishman is facing a number of charges related to possession of drugs.

Sources indicated that the name of the Irish tourist was “Pascoe”, although no other details about his identity were available.

He is being held in custody at Tamworth Jail, in the northern part of New South Wales, after being denied bail by a judge during yesterday’s hearing.

The Irishman, who is in Australia on a tourist visa, is due back in court again tomorrow.