Albert Baxter, from Carrickfergus, County Antrim, was not in the County Court in Belfast on Tuesday when his appeal was adjourned by consent.

The fireworks, which were said to have cost �87,000 but worth �2.5m on the streets, were imported from China.

They were seized when police raided a store at Broughshane, County Antrim last year.

When the case was called, Judge Norman Lockie asked: "Is this the Carrickfergus case that was in the news last week?"

Defence counsel said it was and asked for an adjourment, handing the judge a document which, he said, set out the situation.

After reading it, Judge Lockie said it was an "unusual situation" which could be quite complicated and adjourned the hearing until next month.

The High Court freezing order was made last week after an application by the Assets Recovery Agency, set up to combat organised crime.

The order related to assets in Northern Ireland, England and Spain, including a house and apartment in Carrickfergus, three businesses in Northern Ireland, and two more companies registered in Leeds and the Canary Islands.

The agency said the assets were owned by Albert Baxter, Jessica Baxter and Paul Baxter.