TWO MEN CHARGED AFTER CANNABIS FARM RAID

TWO MEN have been charged in connection with the discovery of a cannabis growhouse operation at Castle Road on New Year’s Eve, one of two uncovered by Gardai in Dundalk in 24 hours, that netted hash worth an estimated €230,000.

A second property, a house at Dublin Street, was raided on January 1 as part of a follow-up operation and while no plants were found, cannabis herb, estimated to be worth €20,000, was discovered.

The men, both aged 33, originally from Eastern Europe but with addresses in Dundalk and Drogheda, were brought before a sitting of the CCJ in Dublin charged with the Castle Road find and were refused bail.

On December 31, Gardaí from Dundalk’s Detective Unit, who were on patrol as part of Operation Scale, observed a car and individuals acting suspiciously at Castle Road. They stopped and searched the car and got a warrant to search a house at Castle Road.

During the search of the premises and outbuildings Gardaí discovered a sophisticated cannabis growhouse with around 200 plants in various stages of growth.

The 200 plants discovered at Castle Road have an approximate street value of €160,000, subject to analysis. Officers also discovered cannabis herb with an approximate street value of €50,000, also subject to analysis.

Two men, both aged 33 were arrested were detained at Dundalk Garda station under the provisions of section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 before being brought to Dublin where they were refused bail.

The men were remanded in custody to appear again at Cloverhill District Court on Friday.

In a follow-up operation on New Year’s Day, Dundalk Gardai raided a house at Dublin Street and discovered what they believe was a second grow house. No plants were found, but cannabis herb estimated to be worth around €20,000 was found.

Gardai said the bedrooms of the property had been converted to provide growing facilities for cannabis plants, with foil used to line the walls of the bedrooms, specially constructed pipes to move warm air around the upstairs part of the house, as well as heating lamps and other items associated with cannabis growing discovered.

No arrests were made at this locations and all the material discovered in the raids is now being forensically examined as part of the Garda investigation.