Two men appear at Portlaoise Court charged with major drug seizure in Laois
Portlaoise Courthouse
TWO men were brought before Portlaoise District Court this afternoon in relation to a major drugs seizure in Mountmellick Co. Laois on Tuesday 4 February.
Robert Wojtanowicz (45) from 12 Manor Grove, Mountmellick was charged with possessing cannabis and cocaine for his own use and with possessing cannabis and cocaine for sale or for supply at Laois Motors Services, Manor Street, Mountmellick.
He was also charged with possessing cocaine for his own use and possessing cocaine for sale or for supply at 32 Eaton Close, Rathcoole, Dublin on the same date.
Robert Cup (44) from 22 Marlfield Gardens, Cabinteely, Dublin 18 was charged with possessing cocaine and cannabis for his own use and with possessing cocaine and cannabis for sale or for supply at Laois Motor Services at Manor Street, Mountmellick and with possessing cannabis and cocaine for his own use and for possessing cocaine and cannabis at 32 Eaton Close, Rathcoole, Dublin. He was also charged with money laundering at the same address in Rathcoole.
Gardaí said that a third man who was arrested in connection to the incident was released without charge.
Detective Garda Marie Connolly from the Dublin Crime Response (DCR) Team told the court when arrested, charged and cautioned Mr Wojtanowicz made no response.
Detective Niall Mangan said that when Mr Cup arrested, charged and cautioned he made no reply.
The court was told that approximately 182kg of cocaine and 4kg of cannabis herb was seized in Mountmellick and in a follow-up search in Rathcoole approximately 17kg of cocaine was seized along with €25,000 in cash. The total estimated value of the drugs seized was more than €14 million.
Defending barrister Brian Nugent BL said he was applying for bail and for free legal aid for both his clients. Gardaí objected to both being granted.
Judge John Brennan refused bail and remanded both men to Cloverhill Prison to appear again at Portlaoise District Court by video link on13 February.
He reserved his judgment on granting free legal aid to the next sitting of the case.
