A Polish pilot and a Co Waterford man have been remanded in custody charged in connection with a seizure of 8.4m euro worth of cocaine in Co Westmeath.
54 year-old Tim Gilchrist of Mavis Bank, Newrath, Waterford, and 40 year-old pilot Michal Lucsak of Primrose Avenue, Jigginstown, Naas, Co Kildare, appeared before Judge Patricia Cronin at a special sitting of Mullingar District Court this morning.
Mr Gilchrist appeared before Judge Patricia Cronin charged with possessing cocaine for sale or supply at Lough Owel, Irishtown, Co Westmeath.
Father of two Mr Lucsak is charged with the same offences at Abbeyshrule Aerodrome in Co Longford.
The seizure was described in court as a "massive loss" to a criminal group.
Judge Cronin remanded both men in custody to appear again before Mullingar District Court via video link on Thursday.
Legal aid was granted.
Meanwhile, on Thursday last, Gardai monitored a small aircraft as it landed at the airfield in Abbeyshrule.
They later intercepted two vehicles near Lough Owel.
120kg of cocaine was seized.
Gardai arrested the two men on suspicion of drug trafficking and both appeared today at a District Court sitting in Mullingar.
