Two men appear in court over €33m crystal meth seizure

Two men have been before a special District Court sitting in Tralee, Co Kerry, charged in connection with the seizure of crystal meth with a street value of almost €33m.

The court was told it was the biggest seizure of methamphetamine in the history of the State.

Nathan McDonnell, with an address at Ballyseedy, Tralee, Co Kerry, was charged with possession of methamphetamine, commonly known as crystal meth, for the purpose of sale or supply when the value of the drug was greater than €13,000.

The offence is alleged to have been committed at Ballyseedy Garden Centre between 27 October of last year and 12 February last.

Mr McDonnell, who is a 43-year-old father of three, was described as the chief executive officer of the garden centre business.

He was remanded in custody.

James Leen, with an address at Pilgrim Hill, Kilmorna, Listowel, Co Kerry, was also charged with possession of crystal meth for sale or supply when the value of the drug exceeded €13,000.

In addition, James Leen, who is 41, was charged with importing crystal meth at Cork Port in Ringaskiddy on 16 October last.

He was also remanded in custody.

Applications for bail were made by solicitor Padraig O'Connell for Nathan McDonnell and by solicitor Patrick Mann for James Leen.

Judge David Waters refused bail and remanded both men in custody.

They will be back before the court via video link next Wednesday.

The drugs have been certified by Forensic Science Ireland as crystal meth.

Last Friday, Revenue Customs Service and gardaí searched a shipping container at the Port of Cork in Ringaskiddy and seized 546kg of synthetic drugs - more than half a tonne.

Analysis of the drugs has been completed by Forensic Science Ireland and they have been certified as methamphetamine, more commonly known as crystal meth.

The court was told the drugs have a street value here of €32.8m.

In a follow up operation, gardaí from the Kerry Divisional Drugs Unit conducted a number of searches of business premises and homes.

Two men were arrested for questioning.

They were detained for a week.