Man in court after €64k cannabis haul in Sligo

A 49 year old man has been remanded in custody following the discovery of 80 cannabis plants with a potential value of €64,000 in the Clogherevagh area of County Sligo

He was arrested at the scene and was charged with offences under Section 3 and 15 of the Misure of Drugs Act 1977.

The accused, Kestutis Piksrys, a Lithuanian national, appeared before a Special Sitting of Sligo District Court on Saturday evening before Judge Kevin Kilrane. He was represented by Mr Gerard McGovern, solicitor.

Garda Kevin Donegan gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution.

The accused was remanded in custody to appear before a sitting of Harristown District Court in Castlerea on Friday.

The man was one of five people arrested after gardaí seized cannabis worth an estimated €289,000 during searches at locations in counties Roscommon, Mayo and Sligo.

A Garda spokesman said two searches were carried out at separate properties in Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon.

The first raid led to the discovery of 67 cannabis plants and cannabis herb valued at €54,000. Two men, aged 33 and 46, were arrested in connection with the haul.

A 41-year-old man was arrested at the second location in the town after some 2kg of the drug and 86 plants worth an estimated €107,000 were found.

A 26-year-old man was arrested at a crime scene in Charlestown in Co Mayo after 80 cannabis plants with an estimated value of €64,000 were identified.