A Dublin man was among three people arrested after travelling to Holyhead where one of the group allegedly hid suspected drugs between his buttocks.
David Walsh, of Cathedral Lane, Kevin Street, Dublin, had taken a ferry with two other men from Ireland to the Port of Holyhead on Anglesey, Llandudno Magistrates Court heard.
However, suspected drugs and a large sum of cash was found after police stopped and searched the vehicle the three were travelling in, North Wales Live reports.
More than £3,000 (€3,580) in cash was found in the car.
District Judge Gwyn Jones ordered that the police be allowed to continue to keep hold of the money for six months pending further investigations.
Detective Constable Chris Irvine told the court that an incoming vehicle had arrived to the Port of Holyhead from Ireland.
He said it was an “intelligence-led stop” by Special Branch officers.
They detained three men in the vehicle.
Two allegedly had controlled drugs - one between his buttocks. The driver had cash in his man bag. A passenger had money folded up in his pocket.
The court heard the sums were €1,980 and €1,600, making a total of €3,580.
The police were said to have “reasonable grounds to suspect that the money was recoverable property, that is property obtained through unlawful conduct intended for use in unlawful conduct.”
DC Irvine was therefore making an application under the Proceeds of Crime Act to the magistrate's court for officers to be allowed to continue to keep the money pending further investigations.
District Judge Jones said: “I’m quite satisfied that on the material before me there are reasonable grounds that the cash seized was criminal property and that detention for six months is justified to ascertain where the cash has come from.”
He granted the police request.
