Two men in court over €5.3m drug seizure linked to 'sophisticated' Dutch gang
Joseph Sherry, 61, of Allagesh, Smithborough in Co Monaghan and garden centre owner Matthew Farrell, 63, of Lisagoan in Kingscourt in Co Cavan, appeared before Judge Eirinn McKiernan at Navan District Court on Thursday evening.
Both men were charged with unlawful possession of heroin and cocaine and unlawful possession of heroin and cocaine for sale or supply at Leggagh, Castletown, Co Meath, on Tuesday, May 27.
Garda Ben McGarry gave evidence he arrested Sherry at 12.50pm on Thursday for the purpose of charge. He charged the accused at 12.54pm and said he made 'no reply' after caution.
Detective Garda Paul Cullen said he arrested Matthew Farrell at 12.42pm on Thursday for the purpose of charge. He said the accused made no reply after caution.
Objecting to bail, Garda McGarry said it is alleged the drugs belong to a "sophisticated crime group in the Netherlands which has links to the UK,' and alleged that Sherry's 'sole purpose of coming from the UK to Ireland was to partake in this operation'.
Outlining the alleged facts of the case, Garda McGarry said the intelligence-led joint operation was conducted by Revenue's Customs Service, the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau and Eastern Region colleagues, the Meath/Westmeath Divisional Drugs and Crime Units, which detected a container at Dublin Port from Rotterdam.
A controlled delivery was put in place and the container was delivered to a yard at Clover Buildings at Leggagh in Castletown.
It's alleged both Sherry and Farrell were present at the yard, along with an 11-year-old child, and it's alleged Farrell's name was on the manifest and he allegedly signed for the delivery.
Gardaí intervened and a search warrant was executed and both males were arrested.
A 'deep search' took place and it's alleged €2.8 million worth of heroin and €2.59 million worth of cocaine was discovered in concrete blocks on 11 pallets in the container.
Garda McGarry said it's alleged an iPhone and a 'highly sophisticated encrypted' Google phone were found in a Peugeot 5008 driven by Sherry.
Garda McGarry said Sherry lives mainly in the UK and had arrived in Ireland that morning. As part of the bail objections, Garda Sherry said due to the seriousness of the offences, he believes Sherry is a potential flight risk.
Detective Garda Cullen said Farrell is a garden centre owner and is alleged to have rented the shed on May 1 and allegedly ordered cement blocks from what appears to be a fictitious company in The Netherlands.
It's also alleged Farrell was 'caught red-handed' and allegedly admitted to Gardaí he believed a substantial amount of cash was in the shipment.
Detective Garda Cullen objected to bail due to the seriousness of the offences and because he believes Farrell is a potential flight risk.
Detective Garda Cullen said a file is being prepared for the DPP, where it is anticipated there will be further serious charges.
Refusing bail, Judge McKiernan remanded both males in custody to appear before Trim District Court next Tuesday, June 3
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