May 11th, 2011

http://www.newstalk.ie/2011/news/man-in-court-for-uk-extradition-on-money-laundering/

A British man has appeared before the High Court to face extradition on charges of heading up an organised crime gang involved in the importation of millions of pounds worth of drugs.

55-year-old Philip Baron with an address at Bawnogues, New Road in Straffan, Co. Kildare is wanted in the UK on 4 charges including money laundering.

Mr. Baron was arrested yesterday evening at his house beside the K Club on foot of a European Arrest Warrant.

This afternoon dressed in a pin-stripe shirt, trousers and a blue tank top the 55-year-old appeared before the High Court.

He is wanted in the UK to face prosecution on four charges including money laundering.

The allegations are that between 2005 and 2009 he headed up an organised crime gang involved in the importation of cannabis and cocaine to the UK from Costa Rica and South Africa.

Ledgers seized by police suggest individual drugs transactions of over stg£10 million.

There was no application for bail and the 55-year-old has been remanded to Cloverhill Prison for a week until his next court appearance.