Man remanded in custody for his alleged part in €160k drugs deal in hotel carpark in Cork

A WELSH man arrested for his alleged part in a €160,000 drugs transaction in a hotel carpark in Cork has been remanded in custody until February 7.

Julius Sobul, aged 42, of Collingwood Avenue, Newport, Gwent, Wales, appeared at Cork District Court having been charged by Garda Ruairí McGovern with possession of cannabis, having it for sale or supply, and money-laundering in respect of €39,500 in cash.

Judge Mary Dorgan adjourned the case against Mr Sobul, on the application of Sergeant Gearóid Davis at Cork District Court.

It is alleged that on December 19, 2023, gardaí observed a transaction taking place in the carpark of the Radisson Hotel in Little Island, Cork, between the occupants of two vehicles and when officers moved in to carry out a search, they found €160,000 worth of cannabis and €39,500 in cash.

A 43-year-old Lithuanian national who has been living in Ireland for the past 17 years, Mindaugas Stancikas, of The Mews, Riverstown House, Glanmire, Co Cork, is also before the court on similar charges of money-laundering, possession of cannabis for sale or supply, and having cannabis for his own use, arising out of the same incident.

The allegations previously outlined in court were that an English-registered Vauxhall and an Irish-registered Range Rover were observed by gardaí in the carpark.

It was alleged that one man exited the Range Rover with a package and entered the Vauxhall while the driver of the Vauxhall placed a large bag in the rear of the Range Rover.

At this point they were approached by gardaí and informed they were to be searched under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

“The package placed in the Vauxhall was recovered and found to contain €39,500 cash, and the large bag was found to contain approximately 8kg of cannabis with an estimated street value of €160,000, it was alleged,” Det Gda Crowley said.

Mr Sobul is in custody. Mr Stancikas is on bail on conditions that included substantial cash lodgement and surety.

Defence solicitor Frank Buttimer represents both accused.