Two in court over €1.5m drugs seizure in Limerick

TWO MEN appeared before a special court sitting in Limerick yesterday charged in connection with a large drugs haul on the outskirts of the city.

This followed separate big drug discoveries by gardaí in Cork and Donegal with people charged in court over the weekend.

Cannabis with an estimated street value of more than €1.5 million was discovered at a cottage in Annagh, Lisnagry, Co Limerick, last Friday.

The two arrested following the seizure were brought before a special sitting of Limerick District Court. Kieran Nevin (35) of Oliver Plunkett Street, St Mary’s Park, Limerick, and Shane Ferguson (44) of Meadowbrook, Mill Road, Corbally, Limerick, are charged with possession of cannabis with intent for sale or supply and are also charged with possession of cannabis contrary to the Misuse of Drugs Act at the same location on the same date.

Garda Paul Crowley told the court that 78kg of cannabis with an estimated street value of €1.56 million was seized at the Lisnagry cottage following a surveillance operation.

Judge Aeneas McCarthy refused Mr Nevin’s bail application and remanded him in custody until May 31st when he is due to appear before the court via video link.

Mr Ferguson was granted bail on his own bond of €5,000 and an independent surety of €40,000. He was also ordered to surrender his passport and to sign on daily at Henry Street Garda station.

Mr Ferguson is also due before the court again next Thursday.

The judge reserved the position of free legal aid for both men so as to allow a statement of means to be presented in court.

In Cork a 30-year-old man has been remanded in custody after he was charged in connection with a €400,000 drug seizure by Customs officers last week.

Hao Wang was brought before a special sitting of Cork District Court on Saturday on charges relating to the discovery by Customs officers of 40,000 ecstasy tablets at a house in the city.

Mr Hao of Roselawn, Pouladuff Road, Cork, was charged with possession of ecstasy and possession of ecstasy for sale or supply at Roselawn, Pouladuff Road on May 25th.

Garda Brian Murphy gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution and told the court that Mr Hao made no reply when the charges were put to him after caution. Insp Pat Meaney said gardaí were seeking to have Mr Hao remanded in custody and suggested a remand to Cork District Court next Wednesday.

Judge Con O’Leary remanded the accused in custody to appear again at Cork District Court next Wednesday and he reserved a decision on the issue of free legal aid to allow Mr Hao to file a statement of means.

A 31-year-old woman arrested by gardaí as part of the same investigation was released without charge on Saturday morning. A file will be prepared in relation to her, said a Garda spokesman.

In Sligo two men have been remanded in custody as gardaí continue their investigations into a €1.6 million haul of cannabis plants in Donegal.

Ming Sun (44) and Xia Hua He (34) were charged with possession, possession with intent to supply and cultivation of cannabis in a warehouse at Trummon, Laghey, Co Donegal, last Friday.

Gardaí, who are continuing their investigation into the discovery of 2,000 cannabis plants, have said they were appalled at the primitive living conditions of the suspects; the men lived in squalid quarters inside a warehouse where the plants and growing materials were seized on Friday afternoon.