Ten men accused of conspiracy to import drugs in Cork to be tried in Special Criminal Court
The lorry that was searched by gardaí after the arrests in Tragumna in March. File picture: Andy Gibson
The cases against 10 men accused of conspiring to import drugs into Ireland arising out of a major international investigation will take place in the Special Criminal Court, it was confirmed as two of the accused appeared before Cork District Court.
Anar Rahui of Calle Jaen, Marbella, Malaga, Spain, was represented in court by Frank Buttimer who said he would require some time to have a 70-page document sent to him by An Garda Síochána translated into Spanish so that he could bring it to the accused in Cork Prison.
Eddie Burke, solicitor for Pedro Padio Ojeda Ortega, aged 35, of Cadiz, Spain, made a similar application in respect of his client.
Judge Treasa Kelly adjourned the cases until December 18.
Sergeant John Kelleher indicated to the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions directed trial at the Special Criminal Court.
While only two of the 10 defendants were before Cork District Court on Wednesday, by video link from prison, it is understood that the position regarding DPP directions will apply in all cases.
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.”
