Kildare man charged in connection to cannabis haul & cocaine lab
The three men appeared in Naas District Court last week
THREE men charged in connection to the discovery of a cocaine production lab along with the possession of 32kgs of cannabis - were remanded in custody for another week as the ongoing solicitor’s strike affected their ability to argue for bail in the face of Garda objections.
Two of the men – Deniss Drozdovs (31), Dooling House, Clare Hall, Dublin 17; and Victors Aleksejevs (44), of Northlands, Bettystown, Co Meath – are charged with possession of drugs, and possession of drugs for the purpose of sale or supply of cannabis, worth and estimated €640,000.
It is alleged that on 23 June they drove a surveilled pallet of cannabis from Dublin Port to a rendezvous point on the Blessington Road in Punchestown where they allegedly transferred it to another vehicle being driven by Maurice Kenny (36) of Hillfort Lodge, Kill.
Officers from the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) and Revenue Customs Service allowed this transfer and followed the second vehicle about six kilometres back to an address at Donode Big, Ballymore Eustace.
Here gardaí arrested Mr Kenny, and subsequently discovered the cocaine lab following a search of the premises.
First to appear from custody before Judge Desmond Zaidan at Naas District Court on Thursday (2 July) was Mr Drozdovs who, like Mr Aleksejevs later, were both represented by “a privately instructed” practitioner to get around the solicitors striking against legal aid.
He explained how his client had initially been brought before Judge Derek Cooney the week previously, “but were unrepresented because of the action”.
“We expected garda objection (to bail) but there was no argument on behalf of my client”.
“I will allow you to apply [for bail],” said Judge Zaidan.
“We will accept one week custody to organise,” said defending solicitor Daryl Grey.
“Directions (from the DPP)?” asked the judge.
“No, judge. This is quite a complex matter,” said Detective Garda Brian Fahy.
“It’s alleged he and a friend picked up a pallet at Dublin Port and brought it to Punchestown, before it was put into another vehicle,” said the detective.
“The file is ongoing,” he added.
Judge Zaidan then remanded Mr Drozdovs back into custody to re-appear on 9 July “to be produced in Naas District Court”.
“Stay in touch with Mr Grey,” he advised.
When Mr Aleksejevs than appeared, Mr Grey made a similar application “for next Thursday” to which the judge agreed.
“I’m going to put the case back for one week to allow Mr Grey and his team to apply for bail, and allow the Gardai and the State complete their investigation and its file,” he said.
When Mr Kenny appeared, the court learned he was facing four drug related charges as opposed to two.
“This was my client,” said solicitor Brian Larkin who, though observing the strike, was attending court to assist without representation.
“This man is in an very impossible situation, in custody, and has to represent himself,” said Mr Larkin.
“Because of the status quo I am unable to progress the matter.
“Normally, Mr Kenny would be able to qualify for legal aid, but I’m not able to apply for it.” “Maurice, I hope you don’t mind me using your first name, I am going to put this back for a week because of these extraordinary circumstances,” said the judge.
“So if you want, you can apply for bail here next week, or you can apply to the High Court list.
“I think this is not fair on you because this is a complex matter, and I can see from your face that you’re trying to understand matters,” he said to Kenny on the videolink from remand.
“Mr Larkin is only in court today because you’re in custody … but you can apply for bail in the District Court,” said the judge, as he also remanded Mr Kenny back into custody until 9 July.
“This man has been to hell and back in recent years,” Mr Larkin told the court, before turning to the screen.
“Ring me between five and six this evening and we’ll talk later,” the solicitor said to Mr Kenny.
