Nathan McDonnell and James Leen have both been charged in relation to the "substantial drugs seizure" at Cork Port on Friday, February 16.
McDonnell, with an address in Tralee, Co Kerry, and Leen, with an address in Listowel, Co Kerry, both appeared before a special District Court sitting in Tralee today, Friday, February 23, charged in connection with the seizure.
The court reportedly heard that last week's drug seizure was the largest seizure of methylamphetamine ever detected in the State, with a value of nearly €33 million.
McDonnell, a 43-year-old father-of-three, was charged with possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of sale or supply when the value of the drug was greater than €13,000.
He was described as the chief executive officer of the Ballyseedy Garden Centre and is alleged to have committed the offenses at the center between October 27 last year and February 12, 2024.
Leen, 41, has been charged with importing crystal meth at Cork Port on October 16 last year. He has also been charged with possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of sale or supply when the value of the drug was greater than €13,000.
Both men have been remanded in custody after Judge David Waters rejected applications for bail.
They will both appear before the court via video link on Wednesday, February 28.
An Garda Síochána announced on Friday, February 16 that "a substantial drugs seizure" was made that morning following a joint operation at Cork Port between An Garda Síochána and Revenue’s Customs Service.
Gardaí, along with Revenue Officers, seized 546kg of a synthetic drug, with an estimated value of €32.8 million.
Garda personnel from the Kerry Divisional Drugs Unit, Cork and a number of Garda units were involved in the operation.
Follow up searches were conducted in Kerry and Cork which resulted in the arrests of the two men and the seizure of two firearms.
The men were detained at Garda Stations in the Southern Region under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007.
Gardaí announced on Friday morning February 23 that the two men had been charged and would appear before a special sitting of Tralee District Court
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