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A 46-year-old man charged in connection with a €1.6m drugs haul in County Wexford appeared before a special sitting of Gorey District Court Sunday afternoon.
Fintan Fanning of Slaney Drive, Ballycarney, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, came before Judge Kevin Staunton.
Fanning was charged with on July 18 at Tincurry, Ballycarney, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, he had in his possession a controlled drug, namely Cannabis, for the purpose of selling or supply to another in contravention of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017 and 2019 under Section 5 of the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1972.
Herbal cannabis worth an estimated €1.6m was seized at Tincurry, Ballycarney, on Friday last following a targeted joint operation involving An Garda Siochana and Revenue’s Customs Service.
In the course of a joint operation conducted by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) and Revenue Officers, a van was intercepted by Gardai in Ballycarney, Wexford, on Friday last, July 18.
During the search of the van, approximately 80 kilos of herbal cannabis was discovered with an estimated street value of €1.6m (pending analysis).
The accused was arrested at the scene and was detained for questioning under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996.
The accused appeared in court wearing a grey tracksuit, with slight beard, and heavy tattooing around the neck area. He said close to his lawyer during the hearing which lasted less than ten minutes.
Det. Garda Dean Healy told Judge Stauntion that on July 19 he arrested the accused and charged him as set out on the charge sheet. He arrested the accused at 15.56 and charged him at 16.03.
When the charge was put to the acused he made ‘no comment’ said Det. Healy.
Defence Counsel, Craig Phillips, B.L. instructed by Eoin O’Sullivan, Solicitor, said there would be no application for bail. He applied for free legal aid but no statement of means is yet available to the court, but would be provided at a later date.
Sergt. Stephen Ennis told the court he would be seeking a remand in custody to appear before Wexford District Court on Tuesday next via video link.
Judge Staunton said he would grant free legal aid subject to a statement of means being made available to the court.
Judge Staunton remanded the accused, as requested, in custody to appear before Wexford District Court via video link on Tuesday night. Following the short hearing the accused was escorted from the court by two Gardaí.
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