A second man has been denied bail in relation to the seizure of just over €2.6 million worth of suspected cocaine.
Anthony Naughton (40) of Michans House, Greek Street, Dublin 7, appeared before Judge Connor Fottrell this afternoon after being charged with offences contrary to Sections 15 and 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 for the possession of drugs, and possession for sale and supply.
Garda Joseph Melvin gave evidence of the arrest charge and caution of the accused, telling the court that he had been “caught red-handed” during an alleged handover of the suspected drugs at a DG self-storage unit on Newtown Avenue in Coolock.
Garda Melvin of the Dublin Crime Response Team opposed bail in respect of Naughton, saying that the State was not satisfied that he would attend court to answer the charges. He further argued that the seriousness of the charge was a cause for concern, saying that the accused may be compelled to commit offences to compensate for the alleged losses of an organised crime group.
The 38KG of suspected cocaine has a street value of €2.060,000, he said.
Judge Fottrell heard that the accused was seen on CCTV in the midst of an alleged drugs exchange with co-accused Robert Murphy, who was earlier denied bail.
Garda Melvin argued that the accused had made certain admissions in respect of the contents of two reusable shopping bags and a duffel bag, which it was argued that he hid inside the storage unit, which was rented in his name.
The court heard that Naughton denied knowledge of what the bags contained.
The court heard that Naughton had claimed he thought the bags contained cash and that he got them from “a fella at the top of the road”.
Defending counsel Tracey Horan pleaded with the court to admit Naughton to bail; however, Garda Melvin said that he has “every reason to abscond”, and would not agree to the bail conditions Ms Horan put forward.
She said that Naughton, who shed tears during the hearing, would sign on daily and reside at his address, telling the court that as a father of four children, his family depended on him.
Ms Horan said that it would take several years for the matter to reach the Circuit Court due to delays in the process, such as having to await the results of testing by Forensic Science Ireland.
Having heard the facts, the court said it was satisfied not to grant bail and remanded the accused in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court via video link on the 25th of March.
As the accused was escorted back to the courthouse cells, members of his family, a large number of whom were in attendance, became visibly emotional.