A man arrested at a cannabis grow house in Dublin is being cross-examined at the High Court about his claims that he is a victim of human trafficking.

The Chinese man (36), who cannot be named for legal reasons, is currently in prison awaiting trial on drugs charges.

In November 2012 gardai arrested him at a cannabis grow house in Henrietta Street in Dublin with a crop, allegedly worth €1 million.

The man claims he was trafficked from China into Ireland in 2011 because his parents owed money to a local money lender. He says he was forced to work at the grow house to repay the debt.

He also says he had no idea that cultivating the plants was unlawful.

He has been in custody since his arrest over a year ago because he is deemed a flight risk. He is now challenging his detention by way of an Article 40 inquiry.

He claims being held in prison breaches his rights under Irish and European law because he is a victim of trafficking.

The man is currently being questioned in detail by state lawyers about his trafficking claims.

It has been put to him that he embellished his account of being beaten and dragged to Guangdong, before being brought to Hong Kong and eventually Ireland.

In written papers submitted to the court, he called it 'a terrifying and traumatic experience'. The hearing continues.