Nearly 85 kilos of cocaine was seized in the operation, camouflaged inside a drilling machine due to be shipped to Ireland by a firm in the small town of Monovar about a 35-minute drive inland from Alicante.

John George’s family were involved in a high profile search for the father-of-two after he was reported missing in Alicante in December.

John George, also known as John Hardy, had been on holiday in Alicante when he was reported missing in December.

John George (37) had been on holiday in Alicante when he went missing.

John George, 37, from west Belfast, had been on holiday in Alicante

John George had been holidaying in Alicante and was last in touch with his family on December 14.

John George has not been heard from since December 14th and has missed Christmas with his sons