Two appear in court over €32.8m crystal meth haul
Both face possible life terms over ‘State’s biggest seizure’ of drug
TWO men have appeared before a special sitting of Tralee District Court charged in connection with the seizure of crystal meth valued at €32.8million, the largest in the history of the State.
Both men, who appeared separately, have been remanded in custody by Judge David Waters.
Nathan McDonnell, 43, of Ballyroe, Tralee, Co. Kerry, is charged that on October 27, 2023 to February 12, 2024, at Ballyseedy Garden Centre, Tralee, he had in his possession methamphetamine – more commonly known as crystal meth – for sale or supply in contravention of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977, and that at the time while the drug was in his possession it was worth €13,000 or more.
Detective Sergeant Thomas Griffin of Listowel gardaí gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution at Castleisland Garda Station yesterday . Mr McDonnell replied: ‘Not guilty.’ James Leen, 41, of Pilgrim Hill, Kilmorna, Listowel, Co. Kerry, is charged with the same offence. He is further charged that on October 16, 2023, at Cork Port, Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork, he did import methamphhetamine with a value of more than €13,000 contrary to Section 15 (b) of the Misuse of Drugs Act.
Sergeant David Howard gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution yesterday. Mr Leen made no reply to each charge.
Both men were remanded in custody to appear via video link next Wednesday, February 28, in Tralee District Court.
Bail applications are being lodged in the High Court in the cases of both accused by their respective solicitors, Pádraig O’Connell for Mr McDonnell, and Pat Mann for Mr Leen.
The court heard that on the evening of February 15, arising from information gathered by the Kerry Divisional Drugs Unit, a container was examined by Customs officers at Cork Port, Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork.
The container was purported to contain an electromagnetic metal separator machine for export to Australia, the court heard.
Upon being examined, a sophisticated concealment was found within, containing approximately 543kg of methamphetamine, the sergeant said.
The next morning, gardaí carried out search operations at various locations in Cork and Kerry. Mr McDonnell was arrested for an offence under Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act – commission of a serious offence for the enhancement and benefit of an organised crime gang, at Ballyseedy Garden Centre – and detained for seven days.
‘The seizure of the 543 kg of methamphetamine – otherwise known as crystal meth – is the largest recorded and has a street value of €32.8million,’ Sgt Griffin said. Further serious charges may be sought from the DPP in relation to this incident, he said. He also referred to strength of forensics, and CCTV of excellent quality to do with loading the machine into a container for transport to the port in Cork on February 12.
Messages on Mr McDonnell’s mobile phone showed he obtained an innocent party’s details in Australia to receive the shipment and that he offered to pay €5,000 for these details, the court heard.
Gardaí had also identified emails relating to the importation, delivery and forward shipping of the machine, it was heard.
Mr McDonnell admitted to gardaí he was storing the machine at Ballyseedy Garda Centre and was to be paid €150,000 for his part in the operation, it was heard.
Prior to his arrest on February 16, he was the director of 11 companies with a turnover of between €4.5million and €5million. ‘He has informed gardaí that he has relinquished control of these companies and they are being liquidated and this reduces his ties to this jurisdiction,’ Sgt Griffin said.
The machine was built for the concealment and its packaging made it very difficult to detect, the court was told.
Sgt Griffin was cross-examined by Mr O’Connell, who said his client had no previous convictions, had made no admissions, had denied any knowledge of the drugs and was entitled to the presumption
‘This reduces his ties to the jurisdiction’
Both remanded in custody
of innocence. Judge Waters refused bail for Mr McDonnell, referring to the high value of the seizure and that he was a man of considerable means.
Gardaí also objected to bail in the case of Mr Leen.
Sergeant Davide Howard said the drugs had travelled from Mexico in October 2023 and that Mr Leen was operating as part of a transnational senior logistics figure operating and liaising with a global organised crime organisation. He was arrested at Arabella, Ballymacelligott, Tralee.
Judge Waters refused bail, referring to the seriousness of the charge and the possible sentence on conviction. He also referred to the possibility Mr Leen was a flight risk given the number of countries he had travelled to in 2023 alone. The court heard both men were facing possible life in prison. They are both remanded in custody to February 28, to appear again, by video-link.