A forged passport racket has been smashed by the RUC, the Belfast High Court heard yesterday. Mr David Hopley, a prosecution lawyer, said the forgeries were being sold for £17,000 each.
Mr Hopley said the racket was exposed when the passport office in Belfast received six applications using copies of birth certificates of dead infants. He was opposing a bail application by Mr Philip Ryall (40) an Englishman who gave a Belfast address. He is jointly charged with a Belgian, Mr Albert Kapleta. They have been in custody since May.
Mr Hopley said the pair were using a car hired in Cork, where they had rented an office under false names. He said the Garda Siochana had raided the office and seized forged passports, documents and computers. Mr Hopley said New Scotland Yard officers interviewed Mr Ryall about a large number of offences "and apparently he has made admissions in regard to 52 other matters".
The application was adjourned until today.