Two men appear in court in connection with Limerick drug seizure

300kg worth of cocaine was seized last week with an estimated street value of €21m.

Two men have appeared in court charged in connection with a major drug seizure in Co Limerick earlier this week.

Around 300kg of cocaine were discovered by gardaí and customs officers when they searched a ship carrying grain at the port of Foynes on Tuesday.

Bulgarian natives Nicola Penchev, 32, and Kamen Petkov, 35, appeared at a special sitting of Limerick District Court on Sunday.

Both were charged with the sale and supply of cocaine under Sections Three and Fifteen of the Misuse of Drugs Act.

The court heard evidence of the men being arrested, charged and cautioned separately at Roxboro and Henry Street Garda stations.

Solicitor Ted McCarthy represented Kamen Petkov and informed the court that he would not be making an application for bail.

Nicola Penchev was represented by solicitor John Herbert and again there was no application made for bail.

Both men were granted free legal aid and were remanded in custody to appear before the court again on December 29 via video link.