Gardaí investigating conspiracy to import drugs in West Cork pursue hundreds of lines of enquiry

Cork District Court also heard that numerous enquiries are ongoing with Europol and Interpol

The lorry that was searched by gardaí after the arrests in Tragumna in March. Picture: Andy Gibson

Hundreds of statements have been taken and lines of enquiry pursued in the case against 10 men accused of conspiring to import drugs into Ireland in the course of a major international investigation, it emerged on Tuesday, as two of the accused were remanded in continuing custody.

Sergeant Aisling Murphy outlined the up-to-date position in the investigation at Cork District Court: Ten prisoners are in custody in the case.

There have been more than 170 interviews with the prisoners involving 62 members in charge and 48 interviewing members of An Garda Síochána.

• 210-plus statements have been taken.
• 280-plus lines of enquiry are being followed.
• More than 650 exhibits were seized.
• 50-plus electronic devices are being forensically analysed.
• Numerous enquiries are ongoing with Europol and Interpol.

Defence solicitor, Eddie Burke, said on behalf of Pedro Padio Ojeda Ortega, 35, of Cadiz, Spain, “I don’t know are the state trying to bamboozle us with facts and figures but I have a man in custody who was never in trouble and he cannot understand why it is taking so long for the matter.” 

Judge Mary Dorgan adjourned the case against the accused until July 9 with him remanded in continuing custody. He is accused of conspiring with nine others to import drugs. 

The charge in each case states: “That you (defendant’s name) on dates between February 27 and March 14, both dates inclusive, within the state, did conspire with one or more persons, namely (nine other names) to do an act in the state that constitutes a serious offence, namely the importation of controlled drugs in excess of €13,000, an offence contrary of Section 15B (1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 as amended and contrary to Section 71 (1) (a) (4) of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 as amended by Section 4 (b) of the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions ) Act 2023.” 

Facing the same charge is 41-year-old Anuar Rahui of Malaga, Spain. The same facts in relation to the investigation were outlined by Sgt Murphy in his case.

Frank Buttimer, solicitor, accepted that it is an extensive, broad-based investigation but he said that what the accused needed to know was how far the investigation has progressed. The accused man said through an interpreter, by video link from prison: “I would like the information because I am already detained for 90 days.”