A SWEDE appeared before Cork District Court yesterday on a number of charges arising from the seizure of cannabis resin with an estimated street value of £150,000 at Cork Airport on Sunday.
Bail was opposed by the Garda. However, Judge Uinsin MacGruairc fixed bail of £5,000 with an independent surety of £25,000, and he remanded him in custody to appear before the court again on Monday.
Mr Sven Olaf Sversson (55) from Suandammswogen, Aageroten, Stockholm, was charged with possession of cannabis resin, possession of the drug with intent to supply or sell to others, and with importation of the drug into the State on February 16th last.
Det Garda Michael Fitzpatrick said the defendant made no reply to the charges. He opposed bail on the basis that Mr Sversson was a non national and was caught in possession of a very large amount of suspected cannabis resin.
Insp Martin Shanahan said it was possible for someone like Mr Sversson to raise bail.
However, defending solicitor Mr Diarmuid Kelleher said his client was a widower who was receiving disability allowances in Sweden. The gardai had his passport and there was very little likelihood of his absconding.