A 29-year-old man has been further remanded in jail in relation to an alleged significant drug seizure in Co Monaghan.
Saulius Vertelis with an address at 117 Riverside, Coolshannagh, Monaghan Town appeared at a special sitting of Trim District Court over the weekend charged over the seizure of MDMA tablets with an estimated street value of €235,000.
The court heard that the discovery at the apartment, related to 27,500 ecstasy tablets with a street value of just over €235,000.
It’s also alleged that ardai also discovered 50 grams of cannabis herb valued at €1,000 in a vehicle which Mr Vertelis admitted being the registered owner.
The non-national who has lived in Ireland since 2016 appeared via video link at Monaghan District Court today.
Judge Stephanie Coggins heard today that there is no instructions for high court bail in relation to the charges.
The 29-year-old man will now appear at Cavan District Court via video link on the 8th of August to allow for DPP directions.
Garda Nathan Conroy from Monaghan Divisional Drugs unit gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution at Trim District Court on Saturday evening last. He said the 29-year-old had a package delivered to the Monaghan apartment where he resides via DPD's Athlone distribution centre.
The parcel was marked as puppy dog food and Gardai had organised a controlled operation due to information received in relation to the movement of illegal drugs.
A Garda member in disguise brought the parcel to 117 Riverside, Coolshannagh, Monaghan and Mr Vertelis signed for the parcel, moments later Gardai executed a warrant that was secured under section 26 at Monaghan District Court the previous Wednesday the 23th of July.
It’s alleged that they searched the property and illegal drugs were discovered and the Monaghan resident was arrested at the scene and he was subsequently charged under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984. The court heard that there had been three warrants currently issued for Mr Vertelis’ arrest, one from Dundalk, one from Bray and one from Monaghan.
The court was also told that the man who has been a resident in Ireland for the last nine years, attempted to evade custody in Monaghan earlier on Saturday morning when he tried to make a run for it from outside Monaghan Garda Station.
Through submissions to Gardai, the court was told that they believed that Mr Vertelis was working for a third party in relation to the taking of delivery of this consignment of illegal drugs.
The accused man has been further remanded to Cloverhill Prison.
