A bar manager was caught with a significant quantity of drugs and stolen alcohol after gardaí raided his home in Dublin, a court has heard.
Due to flight-risk concerns, Romanian man Marius Nitu, aged 31, who has been living and working in the capital for the past four years, was remanded in custody until he can take up €65,000 bail.
Mr Nitu, with an address at First Avenue, in Inchicore, appeared before Judge Grainne Malone at Dublin District Court today.
Various drugs and in excess of 200 bottles of high-value wines and spirits were allegedly seized.
He faced charges under the Misuse of Drugs Act for possessing drugs with intent to supply.
He also had a charge under the Theft and Fraud Act for possessing stolen alcohol to the value of €12,900.
Objecting to bail, Garda Matthew Kennefick told Judge Malone, the accused was caught red-handed.
It was alleged drugs valued at €17,000 were recovered along with stolen alcohol worth €12,900, the court was told.
In addition, €12,700 in cash was seized along with gold bullion worth about €10,000, he said. However, they are not the subject of any charge.
Garda Kennefick told Judge Malone the accused had no family ties or fixed assets in Ireland and there was nothing to ground him here.
He has surrendered his passport but was in possession of another identity card which could be used for travel, the garda said.
The man had significant means and had €28,000 in a bank account, he said.
His partner who is from the same country came to the bail hearing.
The garda agreed with defence solicitor Eoghan Lysaght that Mr Nitu had no prior criminal convictions, and had not come to attention previously.
Mr Nitu also had a full-time responsible job in bar management which he will lose, the solicitor said.
The garda agreed that if the court granted bail a number of conditions would be sought, including an order not to approach any premises operated by his employer, Press Up Entertainment.
Judge Malone set bail in his own bond of €5,000 of which half must lodged.
She also required two independent sureties, each in the sum of €30,000 because of potential flight risk. They must be approved and will have to lodge €10,000 each, she ordered.
Mr Nitu was remanded in custody with consent to bail to appear at Cloverhill District Court next Friday.
The judge heard it was likely the case could be sent forward for trial on indictment to a higher court. Directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions are to be sought.
Mr Nitu made no reply when charged.
