Four men appear in court in connection with €7m drugs haul
Chambers Picture: Pany Gory At Chambers A That Region Court Transport Is In Court Owner Dean Keegan/collins Of District The Accused The Man Colin Heard The
Four men have appeared in court in connection with a seizure of 100 kilos of suspected cocaine with an estimated street value of €7m.
Gorey District Court heard that the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau arrested the four men after the discovery at a farmyard in Knockadock, Kilmuckridge, County Wexford, on Monday.
The four men appeared before Judge John Cheatle, with each accused being dealt with on an individual basis.
The four were charged with possession of a controlled drug, suspected to be cocaine, under Section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act and possession of drugs for sale and supply under Section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.
Dean Chambers, aged 47, with an address at The Lodge, Whitepark, Arklow, County Wicklow; Karl Dowling, aged 52, from Birch Park, Ferrybank, Waterford City; Patrick Kinsella, aged 52, from Ballyoughter, Kilmuckridge, County Wexford, and Wojceich Kuzio, aged 31from Main Street, Arklow, County Wicklow, were all charged in connection with the incident.
The court heard that Chambers is the owner of a transport company in the region. The court was also told that neither of the men made any reply when the charges were put to them.
Gardaí in evidence relating to each individual objected to the granting of bail.
However following application by solicitors, Lana Doherty and Ed King, Judge Cheatle granted bail on strict conditions.
Dean Chambers and Karl Dowling were granted bail in their own cash bond of €10,000, with two independent sureties of €10,000 each.
They were also requested to sign on at their local Garda Station each day, hand over their passports, and have no contact with the other accused.
Patrick Kinsella was granted bail in his own cash bond of €6,000; hand over his passport and not make any contact with the other accused.
He was also ordered to have his mobile phone available for gardaí to make contact throughout each day.
Kuzio made no application for bail.
Judge Cheatle said he realised that they did not become involved in a €7m drugs operation by chance, but assumed they will be under significant garda observation between now and the trial.
The punishment for the charges if convicted include a mandatory sentence on conviction of 10 years imprisonment for the sale and supply charge or drugs worth over €13,000.
All four were remanded in custody to appear before Wexford District Court on Monday next.