A 30-year-old man who beforehand appeared in courtroom charged in reference to the most important drug seizure within the historical past of the State is dealing with a brand new cost.
2.2 tonnes of cocaine, with a avenue worth of €157 million, was seized aboard a freighter off east Co Cork within the early hours of 26 September 2023.
Eight individuals have been charged in reference to the seizure.
Harold Estoesta, from the Philippines, was a crew member aboard the MV Matthew when it was detained in a joint process pressure operation involving Customs, gardaí and the navy.
Right now at a sitting of Mallow District Courtroom in Co Cork Mr Estoesta confronted a brand new cost that on 4 September 2023, with information of a felony organisation’s existence, he participated in or contributed to exercise meaning to … facilitate a critical offence by that felony organisation or its members.
Defence solicitor Aiden Desmond mentioned that the ebook of proof had but to be served on his shopper although he was first charged in reference to the seizure over six months in the past.
Inspector Tony O’Sullivan instructed Decide Colm Roberts that he had been knowledgeable by the State that the ebook of proof ought to be obtainable on 7 Might.
Decide Roberts granted the State an extension for making the ebook of proof obtainable. He indicated that he had beforehand expressed concern about delays within the serving of the ebook of proof.
Nonetheless, he pressured that the delay “within the largest drug trial within the nation” arose due to the “complexity of the case”.
Mr Estoesta was remanded in custody to look once more tomorrow through videolink in Mallow District Courtroom, on the brand new cost.
He may also reappear earlier than the courtroom on 7 Might in relation to his earlier cost within the case.
Mr Estoesta, who required the help of a translator in courtroom, was beforehand charged with possession of cocaine on the market or provide with a price in extra of €13,000 in Irish waters and for possession of cocaine on the market or provide with a price in extra of €13,000 outdoors of Irish territorial waters.
He was additionally charged with conspiracy to have in his possession, on 24 September, cocaine on the market or provide in extra of €13,000 in contravention of Sections 5 and 15a of the Misuse of Medicine Act 1977.
