THREE CHARGED AFTER HEROIN AND COCAINE SEIZURES

THREE men have been remanded on bail at a special sitting of Cork District Court following the seizure of heroin and cocaine worth €119,000 in Togher and Blarney last Thursday.

Two men were stopped and searched in Togher as part of an ongoing, intelligence led, operation conducted by the Cork City Divisional Drugs Unit. During the search 2 oz’s of heroin, with a street value of approximately €8,000 were seized.

Both were taken to Togher garda station where they were detained under the provisions of section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996.

During a follow up search at a property in Blarney, Gardaí discovered three-quarters of a kilo of heroin with an approximate street value of €110,000 and cocaine with an estimated value of around €1,000.

A third male was arrested and detained at Gurranabraher garda station under the provisions of the same act.

Following the arrests a garda spokesman said these types of operations use advanced analytical and intelligence methods to “disrupt criminals and dismantle their networks.”

“Drug seizures play a critical role in targeting the livelihood of criminals and reducing their ability to carry out illegal activities,” said the spokesman.

“Drug seizures also help protect communities from the devastating impact of drugs and the associated criminality,” he added.

The three men were brought before the special sitting of Cork District Court at 1pm last Saturday.

Garret Hill (35) with an address at Gleann na Rí, Blarney was charged with four charges arising from the discovery of the €8,000 worth of heroin in Togher and the €110,000 worth of the drug in Togher on August 25.

He faced one count of possession of heroin and one count of possession of heroin for sale or supply at an address in Togher on Thursday, August 25.

He was also charged with a count of possession of heroin and possession for sale or supply at the Blarney Shopping Centre on the same day.

Paul O’Rourke (35) with an address at Apartment 3, Unit 5, Blarney Shopping Centre was charged with possession of heroin and possession of heroin for sale or supply at the Blarney Shopping Centre.

Nicholas Crowley (33) of Belmount Place, Crookstown was charged with possession of heroin for sale or supply at an address in Togher on August 25.

Gardaí did not object to bail and Judge Tim Lucey remanded all three on bail to appear in court again on Wednesday, September 14.