Fisherman charged with cultivating cannabis in Tralee

A 28-year-old Vietnamese fisherman has appeared at Tralee District Court charged with the cultivation of cannabis plants in a Tralee industrial estate.

The cannabis plant seizure, one of the largest ever in the Kerry division, was a major operation. The plants were estimated to have a value of €1.4 million, the court was told.

Cao Son Nguyen of Khp Industrial Complex, Clash Industrial Estate, made no reply to three charges under the Misuse of Drugs Acts, including possession, possession for sale or supply and cultivation of cannabis at Clash East Tralee, on Monday last, October 21st .

He had been arrested and brought to Tralee Garda station, where he was formally charged and cautioned, Det Eoin Donovan of the Kerry Divisional Drugs Unit said.

The detective said the man was of no fixed abode.

A bail application was made and, speaking through an interpreter, the accused answered his solicitor David Ramsay that he would present for trial.

Under cross examination by Supt Jim O'Connor, he said he was in the country legally. However, he agreed he had no identification papers. Mr Nguyen also agreed with the garda that he had tried to flee the scene.

“This was because I saw somebody storming in,” he answered the garda.

Objecting to bail, Supt O’Connor said the accused had been in a large number of European countries, he had no ties to this country, and this was serious charge of of substantial value. The man had no identification papers.

"From our inquiries, over the past 10 years he has been in a large number of countries in Europe, " the Supt said.

The defendant’s solicitor Mr Ramsay said his client’s occupation was as a fisherman, but he was unemployed.

Judge James O’Connor remanded him in custody to next week, and legal aid was granted.

A second Vietnamese man who was also arrested in connection with the cannabis seizure remains in hospital. He injured himself when trying to flee the scene.