A German couple have been remanded in custody after they were charged yesterday with a series of drug offences following the seizure by Customs officers of €280,000 worth of cocaine at Cork airport last Sunday.
Mike Hoffman (29), from Biskirchen, and Katarin Ruber (19), from Wetzler, were both charged with three offences at Cork District Court yesterday.
Det Garda Michael O'Halloran charged each defendant with possessing cocaine, possessing cocaine for sale or supply and possessing more than €13,000 worth of cocaine for sale or supply at Cork airport on May 20th.
Neither defendant made any reply when the charges were put to them after caution, the court was told. Insp Ger O'Mahony said that gardaí were seeking a remand in custody for a week for both accused.
Solicitor Tom Coughlan said that he was making no application for bail at this stage but was reserving his position. He applied for free legal aid for Mr Hoffman and Ms Ruber, who are unemployed and in receipt of social assistance payments in Germany.
Judge Uinsinn Mac Gruairc granted both accused free legal aid. He remanded Mr Hoffman in custody at Cork Prison to appear again at Cork District Court on May 28th while he remanded Ms Ruber in custody to Limerick Women's Prison to appear again on the same date.
Neither accused spoke during the five-minute hearing yesterday afternoon. Ms Ruber appeared upset and could be seen wiping tears from her eyes.