Two men have appeared in court after gardaí allegedly intercepted a handover of cocaine worth an estimated €1.8 million in Dublin.
The men were arrested in Blanchardstown last Friday following an operation by the Dublin Crime Response Team (DCRT).
Gardaí allege that a 62-year-old man, David Royle of Crumlin Road, Crumlin, was observed parking beside his co-accused, 53-year-old Thomaz Nowosade of Knightsgate, Rush, in a public car park in Blanchardstown on August 28.
The court heard that Mr Nowosade allegedly removed a Smyths shopping bag containing cocaine from his car and placed it in the boot of Mr Royle's vehicle.
Gardaí then stopped and searched Mr Royle's car, where they allegedly found 18kg of suspected cocaine in the shopping bag. A further 2kg of suspected cocaine was allegedly found in Mr Nowosade's vehicle.
A follow-up search of Mr Royle's home on Crumlin Road resulted in the seizure of suspected MDMA and cannabis, bringing the estimated total value of the drugs seized to €2.2 million.
Gardaí also carried out a further search of Mr Nowosade's car on Tuesday morning, where more suspected cocaine was discovered. The court heard that the substance has yet to be tested.
Mr Royle appeared before Dublin District Court charged with six counts relating to possession and the sale or supply of drugs.
Garda Stephen Byrne of the DCRT told the court that Mr Royle made no reply when he was arrested, charged and cautioned.
Objecting to bail, Garda Byrne said he believed Mr Royle was a “trusted member of an organised crime group” and that the drugs were intended for distribution across the Dublin metropolitan area.
However, Mr Royle's barrister Patrick Flynn said his client has the presumption of innocence. He told the court that Mr Royle was not previously known to gardaí and had no history of evading justice.
Judge Stephanie Goggins granted Mr Royle bail on his own bond of €10,000, with a €5,000 cash lodgement.
He must reside at his home on Crumlin Road, sign on at a garda station three times a week and comply with a curfew.
As he was not in a position to take up bail on Tuesday, he was remanded in custody with consent to bail and is due to appear before Cloverhill District Court on Friday.
Mr Nowosade appeared separately before Judge Mark O'Connell at the Courts of Criminal Justice.
He is charged with four offences, including two counts of possession of drugs and two counts of possession with intent to sell or supply.
Garda Colin Byrne told the court that a phone was also seized. He said he believed it had been used for organising drug distribution and contained an encryption device.
Defending, Mr Flynn BL said Mr Nowosade knew nothing about the drugs and denied that his client was a flight risk. The court heard that the Polish national has lived in Ireland for 20 years and that his wife and son were present in court.
Judge O'Connell remanded Mr Nowosade in custody with consent to bail, subject to a €5,000 cash lodgement and an independent surety.
He must reside in Rush, sign on three times a week at Balbriggan Garda Station and surrender his passport.
Both men are due to appear before Cloverhill District Court on Friday. The allegations against both men have not been proven.
