File against 10 men accused of conspiring to import drugs in Cork to be ready in eight weeks

Cork District Court heard gardaí are liaising with law enforcement agencies Europe, the US and South America

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

The investigative file in the cases against 10 men accused of conspiring to import drugs into Ireland in the course of a major international investigation should be completed and sent to the DPP within six to eight weeks, it emerged on Tuesday. 

This progress in the investigation of the complex case was outlined by Sergeant John Kelleher when two of the accused appeared in Cork District Court by video link from prison.

Sergeant Kelleher outlined the up-to-date position in the investigation at Cork District Court: Ten prisoners are in custody in the case. The update showed some progress on that which was outlined a fortnight ago. 

And for the first time, a completion date for the investigation was indicated.

• There have been more than 175 interviews with the prisoners involving 62 members in charge and 48 interviewing members of An Garda Síochána.
• 350-plus statements have been taken.
• 310-plus lines of enquiry are being followed.
• Three terabytes of CCTV are being examined.
• More than 700 exhibits were seized — and this number is growing.
• 50-plus electronic devices are being forensically analysed.

Numerous enquiries are ongoing with Europol and Interpol and case conferences have taken place with British, Spanish and Danish police forces.

“An Garda Síochána is also liaising with a number of other international law enforcement agencies and enquiries conducted in South America and North America,” Sgt Kelleher said.

Pedro Padio Ojeda Ortega, 35,of Cadiz, Spain, who was represented by solicitor, Eddie Burke, was remanded in custody until July 23.

41-year-old Anuar Rahui of Malaga, Spain, represented by Frank Buttimer solicitor, was remanded in custody until July 30. Mr Buttimer said the outline given by Sgt Kelleher showed progress in the prosecution case and there was consent to the three-week adjournment. Mr Rahui said that on the recommendation of his solicitor he agreed to the adjournment.

Each of the accused — two before the court on Tuesday, and eight other men also before the courts — 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.”