A Spanish national has been remanded in custody following his arrest by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) over a €2.36 million cannabis seizure in Dublin.
During a joint operation involving GNDOCB detectives and Revenue’s Customs Service, a commercial storage facility in the north of the city was searched on Thursday. Officers recovered approximately 118kg of herbal cannabis.
Juan Aguilar (56) of Avtequera, Malaga, was held at Coolock Garda station under the provisions of section two of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996.
Gardaí charged him at 9.20pm on Friday with unlawful possession of cannabis and having it for the purpose of sale or supply at a self-storage unit on Kilmore Rd, Artane, Dublin 5. He was held overnight and brought before Judge Anthony Halpin at Dublin District Court on Saturday.
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In evidence, GNDOCB Detective Val Russell told judge that a Spanish translator was present when the accused was charged.
Detective Russell told the court that the man’s reply to the second charge was: “I have told you everything I had to tell”, and he had no response to the first count. He added that a file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Defence solicitor Michael Keller told the judge that there was no application for bail.
The alleged offences are contrary to sections three and 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.
Mr Aguilar, who did not address the court, listened to the proceedings with the assistance of an interpreter.
The judge granted legal aid, noting there was no Garda objection. He remanded Mr Aguilar in custody pending directions from the DPP. He will appear via video link at Cloverhill District Court on Friday.