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Two men appear in court charged over €14 million drugs seizure

The drugs were seized on Tuesday
The drugs were seized on Tuesday

Two men have appeared in court charged with the seizure of over €14 million worth of drugs in Co Laois earlier this week.

Robert Wojtanowicz, from Manor Grove, Mountmellick in Co Laois, and Robert Cup, of Marlfield Gardens, Cabinteely in Dublin, were brought to court in Portlaoise by officers from the Dublin Crime Response Team.

Gardaí raided a disused motor repairs centre in Mountmellick and searched buildings, cars and vans on Tuesday.

They discovered a total of 199kg of vacuum-packed cocaine and 4kg of cannabis as well as €25,000 in cash.

Mr Wojtanowicz, 45, faces six charges, two of possession of cannabis and cocaine and two of supply at Laois Motor Services in Mountmellick, and two of possession and supply of cocaine at Eaton Close in Rathcoole in Dublin.

Mr Cup, 44, also faces six drugs charges at Laois Motor Services and Rathcoole, as well as a charge of laundering over €30,000 at Eaton Close in Rathcoole.

Two detectives from the Dublin Crime Response Team, Marie Connolly and Niall Mangan, gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution.

Both said that each accused made no reply to the charges.

The men applied for free legal aid but Judge John Brennan said he was reserving judgment on the issue and remanded both men in custody to Cloverhill Prison.

They are due to appear at Portlaoise District Court again by video link next week.

A third man arrested as part of the operation was released without charge and a file is being sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

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