Laois business owner had €19,000 of cannabis stored in a vape shop
It was alleged that an estimated €19,800 worth of cannabis was found following a garda raid on a vape shop in Mountmellick
A MAN was brought before a recent sitting of Portlaoise District Court charged with possessing over €19,000 of cannabis in a vape shop in Mountmellick.
Ali Raza (29), Boyle Meadows, Edenderry, Co Offaly was charged with possessing cannabis for his own use and to possessing cannabis for sale or/and supply on 20 July at Cool Mix, O’Connor Square, Mountmellick.
The court heard that Mr Raza made no reply after he was charged and cautioned.
The defendant said that he is normally represented by a solicitor, but owing to the ongoing dispute between solicitors and the Department of Justice over free legal aid payments, he was not in court to represent him.
Judge Andrew Cody asked what the alleged estimated value of the drugs find was, to which he was told “€19,800 with another 30 or so more items to be tested and analysed.” Judge Cody remanded Mr Raza on continuing bail to the 9 November sitting of the court to allow time for the director of public prosecutions to give directions in the case.
