Gardaí investigating the seizure of almost €33 million worth of synthetic drugs at the Port of Cork last Friday have been granted a further 48 hours to question two men arrested in Kerry as part of the investigation.
The two men cannot be named, following an order by Judge David Waters preventing their identification.
They were brought before an early-morning sitting of the district court in Tralee under armed security. They are being detained under legislation enacted to tackle organised crime.
The applications were made separately in the case of each man.
The application to extend their detention was sought by Chief Superintendent Padraic Powell.
It is not possible to report evidence given to the court as part of the applications. The court's decision can be reported.
An application by Chief Superintendent Powell to exclude the media from the proceedings was rejected by Judge Waters.
Chief Superintendent Powell outlined his reasons for seeking the extension of time to question both men.
Solicitor Padraig O'Connell said he was objecting to the extension "trenchantly and formally" on behalf of one of the men.
Barrister Richard Liston, with solicitor John Cashell, cross-examined Chief Superintendent Powell on his evidence on behalf of the other man.
Judge Waters said he was satisfied the garda investigation was being conducted diligently and expeditiously. He said he was also satisfied the 48-hour extensions were necessary for the proper conduct of the investigation.
He granted the extension in both cases.
The applications took almost an hour and a half to hear.
Part of the street outside the courthouse was closed to traffic by gardaí as the two men were driven separately from the court, again under armed garda escort.
They can now be detained until mid-morning on Friday.
They can be charged or released at any point between now and then.
