Almost £140,000 found stashed in hidden compartment inside E-Class Mercedes at Belfast Port court is told

Entri Michalai was detained after getting off an overnight ferry from Liverpool last month.

The 36-year-old, of Hansart Way in Enfield, north London, was refused bail on a charge of possessing criminal property.

Belfast Magistrates’ Court heard police stopped the Mercedes E-Class he was driving when it disembarked from the ferry on September 24.

Michalai told officers he had travelled across to Northern Ireland to visit an uncle.

A search of the vehicle located a sophisticated concealment area inside the fuel tank.

An investigating detective said 15 packages of cash containing a total of £173,690 were recovered.

Michalai was arrested and interviewed but provided no comment.

He is also allegedly implicated in a similar seizure made at Dover Port in January this year, the court heard.

National Crime Agency officers stopped a Mercedes E-Class driven by another man and discovered an identical storage area containing £200,000 in cash.

“The defendant’s fingerprint was recovered on one of the concealed bags,” the detective disclosed.

Michalai has not been charged in connection with the earlier seizure.

Police opposed his release amid claims he could re-offend or flee.

Deputy District Gerard Trainor was told that a phone confiscated from him has been fast-tracked for analysis.

A forensic report on DNA and fingerprints from the packaging is expected to be completed in February 2027.

Defence barrister Paul Bacon said Michalai’s family and friends could lodge £40,000 in cash sureties to secure his release.

He has also been offered employment with a builder, according to counsel.

However, the judge decided to remand him in custody until November 26.

Mr Trainor stated: “I’m not satisfied these represent sufficient grounds to admit him to bail given the seriousness of the charge.”