Two South Africans charged with drugs offences

Two South Africans were arrested at Cork Airport and charged with importing €200,000 worth of cannabis resin into Ireland.

Detective Garda Brendan Kelly arrested Ehregaardt Lowies (aged 23) and brought him before Cork District Court today on four charges including the importation of illegal drugs.

Detective Garda Maurice Downey arrested and charged Jacques Mills (aged 22) on the same four counts.

Lowies and Mills were remanded in custody to appear again before Judge Uinsin MacGruairc at Cork District Court on December 11.

Detective Inspector Tom Myers outlined the alleged facts in the case against the two men and he said the State would be objecting to any bail application.

"It is alleged that at 1pm on Tuesday these two men were arrested at Cork Airport. They were found with a large quantity of cannabis resin. The total for each individual was 20 kilos with a street value of €100,000," Det. Insp. Myers said.

He alleged that the defendants were caught red-handed.

He said that they had no family, friends or ties with Ireland and he believed they would leave the

jurisdiction and not stand trial if granted bail.

The gardai have not established exact addresses for the accused in South Africa but it is believed they are from Johannesburg.