Cork man remanded over €600k cannabis haul

Court told accused had a drug debt of €28,000

The accused admitted to a drug debt of €28,000. File picture: Getty

A 31-year-old man who was allegedly caught in a car carrying over €600,000 worth of cannabis was remanded in custody for a fortnight on Monday.

At Cork District Court, Judge John King remanded Derek Kavanagh, of 69 Arderrin Way, the Glen, Cork, in custody until March 30, on the application of Sergeant Gearóid Davis,  to allow time for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The accused appeared by video link from prison and was represented in court by defence solicitor Stephen Cotter.

Detective Garda Rory Fogarty said previously that by the defendant’s own admission, following his arrest, he had a €28,000 drugs debt. On the day he was caught with the drugs, the stash of over 30 kilos of cannabis with a street value of €610,000 had been dropped to him by unnamed parties, and he was to store the drugs.

Det Garda Fogarty said: “Gardaí strongly believe that if granted bail, he will continue his involvement with drugs to pay off his drug debt.”

Derek Kavanagh is charged in relation to the alleged seizure of €610,000 worth of cannabis in a search in Cork that followed the search of property connected to another man.

Kavanagh was charged by Det Garda Rory Fogarty with possession of cannabis and possession of cannabis for sale or supply at Arderrin Way, the Glen, Cork, on January 22.

Det Garda Fogarty of the Cork City Divisional Drugs Squad gave evidence of arrest, charge, and caution and told the court that the accused made no reply to either charge after caution.