Two men accused of conspiring to import drugs further remanded in custody

The case against them is contained in a 4,500-page file

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

Two of the 10 men accused of conspiring to import drugs into Ireland appeared in Cork District Court on Friday by video link from prison where the case against them — involving a 4,500-page file — was further adjourned until October 25.

Detective Sergeant Michael Lyons attended at Cork District Court where Judge Treasa Kelly was told that directions were still awaited from the Director of Public Prosecutions. 

Against a background of the accused being remanded in custody for six months already, Sergeant Dave Delea said the file in the case ran to 4,500 pages and involved the gardaí and police forces in other parts of the world.

The two defendants before the court on Friday were remanded in continuing custody for another four weeks.

Angel Serran Padilla, 39, of Malaga, Spain, and Raul Garcia Tabares, 48, of Cadiz, Spain, were represented by barrister Nicholas Hall. A Spanish interpreter was present in court to translate proceedings for the accused who appeared by video link from prison.

Each of the accused — 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.”