A man has been charged in relation to the discovery of €208,000 worth of cannabis in Co Offaly.
Huy Chang Vu (20) of Unit 2, Bridge Street, Birr was charged with cultivation of cannabis contrary to Section 17 of the Misuse of Drugs Act at a sitting of Birr District Court today.
The defendant, a Vietnamese national, was arrested following the discovery of 260 plants in various stages of maturity at a growhouse at Bridge Street in Birr at lunchtime yesterday.
Garda Fergus Hogan charged the defendant at Birr Garda station at 11am today.
“His reply to the charge after caution was ‘I want to talk to a solicitor’,” Gda Hogan told the court.
The defendant, who did not speak during the hearing, was accompanied in court by a Vietnamese interpreter.
Defence solicitor Bernadette Owens said there would be no application for bail. She requested a Vietnamese interpreter again be present for his next court appearance.
Granting legal aid, Judge Catherine Staines remanded the defendant in custody to Cloverhill Prison. He is due to reappear before a sitting of Cloverhill District Court on November 19th.