Man remanded after €500k of cannabis boxes seized in Cork

Accused denied bail because of his significant drug debt, court told

Gardaí believe that the accused is still involved in the drugs trade. File picture: Getty

Boxes of vacuum-packed cannabis with a street value totalling over €500,000 in Cork were seized in an investigation in Cork and now a 24-year-old man has been remanded in custody until July 9 on charges arising out of the investigation.

Daniel Kelleher, age 24, of 44 Mourne Avenue, The Glen, Cork, was remanded in custody until that date when he appeared by video link from prison at Cork District Court.

He faces charges of possession of cannabis for sale or supply on January 22 at Arderrin Way, The Glen, Cork.

Detective Garda Rory Fogarty, who arrested Daniel Kelleher, objected to bail and said of the accused: “He has a significant drugs debt because of this alleged incident. Gardaí strongly believe that he will continue to be involved in the criminal enterprise to pay off this debt if granted bail. 

Evidence gleaned from his mobile phone indicates that he is still involved in the drugs trade and there are conversations observed where he is selling large amounts of cannabis and cocaine.

The defendant said during a previous bail application that “he had nothing to do with any of this” and that he would not return to Spain if given bail.

Det Garda Fogary said:  “On January 22, gardaí observed (another man enter a house at Imaal Court, The Glen, Cork, take a bag and placed it into the rear of a Volkswagen Golf. Gardaí followed this car to North Monastery Road before stopping it for a search. €62,000 worth of cannabis was found. Surveillance was then continued at the house at Imaal Court.

“Gardai observed Daniel Kelleher arrive at Imaal Court, driving a Volkswagen Passat. He entered the Imaal Court address and was observed returning out shortly after with another person, who was carrying a cardboard box, Daniel Kelleher then sits into the driver's seat of this vehicle and transports the box to Arderrin Way, The Glen, Cork.

“Gardai observed cardboard boxes being removed and placed into a Grey Toyota Auris that is parked in the driveway of the address. Daniel Kelleher then leaves this address and travels back towards Immal Court.

“A short time later, gardai again observe Daniel Kelleher travelling towards Arderrin Way. In the passenger seat was another cardboard box, containing what appeared to be vacuum packed packaging. He is then seen leaving Arderrin Way. A search warrant is obtained for that property.

“During the search, the Toyota Auris parked in the front of the property, was a rubbish bag, containing 273 kilograms of cannabis with a street value of €546,000 inside this vehicle. A certificate of analysis from Forensic Science Ireland has since been received documenting the weight of the cannabis seized.”