Four men charged with conspiracy to import 'large amount' of drugs in West Cork
Ali Mazidi, a self-employed coffee distributor, arriving at Bandon Courthouse, Co Cork, today. Picture: Dan Linehan
Four men have been charged with conspiracy to import “a large amount” of drugs into the State after a major garda operation in West Cork earlier this month.
Ali Mazidi, 49, a Dutch national with Iranian links; Sean Curran, 37, from the North; Kiumaars Ghaibiri, 51, a Dutch national; and Mario Angel Del Rio Sanz, 45, from Spain attended Bandon District court on Thursday.
They were charged with conspiracy to import controlled drugs in excess of €13,000 between February 27 and March 14 in the State.
They allegedly conspired with one or more people, including each other and Aleksander Milic, Antonion Gallerzo Barrolo AKA Juan Antonio Gallardo, Raul Garcis Tabares, Anuar Rahini, Pedro Padio, Ojeda Ortega and Angel Serran Padilla.
All men were remanded in custody by Judge James McNulty to appear again before Bantry District Court on Wednesday, March 27.
None of the men can apply for bail in the District Court under their charge but bail applications may be made in the High Court, the court heard.
Mr Mazidi, a self-employed coffee distributor, who the court heard has good English, made no reply when charged and cautioned this afternoon, Detective Garda Shannon Ryan of the Divisional Drug Unit in Bandon, said.
Mr Mazidi has an elderly mother and a weekly income €400 per week, the court heard, and solicitor Plunkett Taaffe was granted legal aid after handing an affidavit with details on the suspect’s means to the court.
Evidence of arrest, charge and caution of Mario Angel Del Rio Sanz was given by Garda Sean O’Connor of Bandon Garda Station.
Mr Del Rio Sanz made no reply after he was charged and cautioned but Gda O’Connor indicated that there would be a bail application which the State would object to.
The court heard that he said he owned no property, that he lived in rental accommodation, that he had very little money and a little debt. Solicitor Myra Dinneen was granted legal aid for assisting him.
Sean Curran, of Carrickyheenan, Aughnacloy, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, made no reply after he was charged and cautioned this afternoon, Detective Garda Catherine McCarthy of the Bandon Divisional Drugs Unit, said.
Legal aid was granted to solicitor Flor Murphy.
Kiumaars Ghaibiri was charged at 12.05pm by Garda Eoin Con Cannon. Mr Ghaibiri works as a chef in a restaurant in Rotterdam, the court heard.
He is divorced but his partner does not work and he has financial obligations of rent and a bank loan.
He owns no property and has no savings, the court heard.
“Given the gravity of the charge he is entitled to legal aid,” Judge McNulty said. Legal aid was granted to Flor Murphy.
Today’s court appearance follows a major Garda operation at Tragumna pier and the village of Leap in West Cork on March 14 when 10 men were arrested.
The other six men were also charged today but in district courts in Cork city and Midleton.
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