3 plead not guilty in landmark drugs trial

THREE Englishmen have pleaded not guilty to charges relating to the seizure of more than €100 million worth of cocaine off the coast of west Cork last summer.

As the biggest drugs trial in the history of the state began in Cork city yesterday, Perry Wharrie, aged 48, of 60, Pryles Lane, Essex, England; Joseph Daly, aged 41, from 9, Carisbrook Avenue, Bexley, Kent; and Martin Wanden, aged 45, who is also English but has no fixed abode, all pleaded not guilty yesterday to the charges against them at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

The three men are accused of possessing cocaine, possessing it with intent to sell or supply, and having it for sale or supply when its street value exceeded €13,000 on July 2, at Dunlough Bay, Mizen, Goleen, Co Cork.