Man remanded in custody after €300,000 drug seizure

A 44-year-old Polish man has been remanded in custody after appearing at a special sitting of Loughrea District Court yesterday in relation to the discovery of over €300,000 worth of cannabis herb in Co Galway.

Robert Dusza, with an address at Tuam Road, Mountbellew, Co Galway, was charged with the possession of cannabis herb, with cultivating cannabis plants without a licence, and with possession of cannabis herb for the purpose of sale or supply.

Judge Gerald Furlong heard from Garda Cormac Bane of Galway Garda Station, that the estimated marketplace value of the haul was €320,000.

The court heard €10,000 in cash was also discovered in the raid of the house in Mountbellew, and that Dusza was present at the time of the raid which took place on Saturday.

The court was told Dusza has been living in the area for the last nine years, is unemployed and is a separated father of one, whose daughter lives in Co Galway.

Inspector Declan Rock objected to a bail application from defence solicitor Colin Lynch. Garda Bane told the court that their objections were based on the severity of the charges, the nature of the evidence, and the likelihood of sentence on conviction.

Garda Bane said Dusza made no reply when the charges were put to him.

Judge Furlong denied the bail application and remanded the defendant to appear at Harristown District Court on Friday next, April 25.