Two charged in connection with €20m cocaine haul

TWO men have appeared before a special sitting of Fermoy District Court in connection with one of the largest finds of cocaine in the history of the state.

Sean O’Donovan, aged 45, and Richard Deutschenbaur, aged 56, were both charged with two offences following last Thursday’s seizure of 80kg of cocaine by gardaí and customs officials at Ballinakilla, Bartlemy in north Cork. The haul, estimated to be worth more than €5 million in its present state, would have a street value of between €16m and €20m.

O’Donovan of Ballinakilla, Bartlemy, was charged with possession of cocaine and possession of cocaine for sale and supply at Ballinakilla, Bartlemy on October 13 contrary to Sections 3 and 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.