Two men from County Tyrone have been remanded in custody after appearing before an extradition court in Belfast on drug trafficking charges originating in Belgium.

Matthew McLean, 36, of Omagh, and Kyle Wilkin, 39, of Castlederg, were brought before Laganside Extradition Court following their arrest on a European arrest warrant. Belgian authorities had sought the men in connection with offences committed in West Flanders in October 2021.

Both men had previously been sentenced to four years’ imprisonment in Belgium. After the hearing, they were remanded in custody to await further proceedings.

Superintendent Marty Reid of the PSNI’s extradition unit said the arrests demonstrated the force’s cooperation with European law enforcement. He noted that the PSNI works closely with the UK Joint International Crime Centre, Interpol and Europol to pursue wanted individuals both at home and abroad.