Two men have been remanded in custody in connection with the seizure of more than €2 million worth of drugs in Co Louth.
Varinder Singh, 32 and of Ashfield Green, Drogheda, Co Louth and his 45-year-old co-accused Alan Crosby of Owensilla, Sillogue Avenue, Ballymun, Dublin 11 were brought before Ardee District Court.
The court was told that the pair were arrested following an extensive and intelligence-led surveillance operation that was set up to target a transnational crime group involved in the importation of drugs into the State.
Mr Singh and Mr Crosby are charged with a total of six offences under the Misuse of Drugs Acts in Tenure, Co Louth on Wednesday.
Garda Jason McDonagh of the Drogheda Drugs Unit gave evidence that a search of a van at Tenure village on Wednesday morning revealed over €1 million worth of cocaine concealed in what were originally tins of olives.
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The court was told that subsequent searches revealed a combined total of over €1 million worth of cannabis and cannabis resin, some of which was concealed in tins of what appeared to be parsley.
Gda McDonagh said he was objecting to bail for Mr Crosby on a number of grounds, including given the seriousness of the charges that he faces.
Meanwhile, Detective Joe Kavanagh from the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau objected to bail being granted in the case of Mr Singh, who had the court proceedings translated for him.
Det Kavanagh said Mr Singh has no ties to the jurisdiction and he is facing very serious offences.
Following separate and lengthy hearings, Judge Andrew Cody rejected each of the accused's application for bail.
Both men were remanded in custody to appear before Dundalk District Court on Wednesday.
