An alleged high-level drug dealer who had £250,000 in cash seized from his home claimed some money came from winning football bets, the High Court heard today.
Joseph Kearney, 38, was detained at his home near Belfast last month by detectives investigating a suspected illegal trade involving the use of encrypted phones.
Police also recovered more than two kilos of cannabis, nine mobiles, laptops and a money counting machine during last month's raid, prosecutors said.
A judge ruled that Kearney can be released on bail once a £40,000 cash surety is lodged.
The accused, of Juniper Park in Dunmurry, faces charges of concealing and possessing criminal property, and having Class B Drugs with intent to supply.
Twelve people have been arrested so far as part of the probe.
Crown lawyer Robin Steer said inquiries began when police accessed data and messages on encrypted phone handsets costing up to £1,500.
He told the court searches were carried out on June 14, with approximately £250,000 located throughout the house bundled up in boxes or in jacket pockets.
In police interviews Kearney alleged that £20,000 came from a claim received from a former employer, and that £30,000 was from a house sale.
"He also said that he had recently won three football bets amounting to £18,000 at Ladbrokes in Belfast," Mr Steer submitted.
The accused claimed that he didn't trust banks and held his money in cash as he was negative equity from a previous mortgage.
According to Kearney he had worked as a carpenter, doing odd jobs and making deliveries at a fruit market.
But opposing bail, Mr Steer alleged he is a "main mover" in an organised crime group.
"The evidence shows that the applicant is a high-level drug dealer who is involved in the importation and supply of significant quantities of drugs, being cannabis and cocaine, as evidenced from the encrypted phone data," the barrister contended.
"This is supported by the very large sum of cash recovered from his home, the quantity and value of the drugs recovered and the other paraphernalia such as the cash counting machine."
He disputed any suggestion Kearney had been prevailed upon or acted under the instructions of someone else.
Sean Devine, defending, confirmed that a member of Kearney's family will put up a £40,000 guarantee to secure his release from custody.
"They are prepared to allow the authorities an opportunity to satisfy themselves that all of that money is legitimate," he added.
Granting bail, Lord Justice McCloskey said he had reached the decision by "a narrow margin".
He ordered Kearney to live under curfew and banned him from using telecommunications devices.
Stressing the £40,000 surety must be provided first, the judge warned: "If the money isn't paid the applicant will remain in custody."
