West Cork operation: Man charged with conspiracy to import drugs denies being involved in drug-smuggling
Juan Antonio Gallardo. Picture Larry Cummins
A man in his fifties who appeared before Midleton District Court in Co Cork today charged with conspiring with nine other men to import drugs in to Ireland has denied having any involvement in the alleged offence.
The two men who appeared before the court charged with the same offence were Juan Antonio Gallardo (55) of Cadiz, Spain and Aleksander Milic (26) of Belgrade in Serbia.
Garda Brendan McGarry gave evidence of the arrest, charge and caution of Mr Gallardo. He said that Mr Gallardo replied after charge :
Meanwhile, Garda Anthony Finn gave evidence of the arrest, charge and caution of Mr Milic. He said that Mr Milic made no reply after caution.
Both men were remanded in custody to appear before Mallow Court on March 26 next.
Free legal aid was granted to both men by Judge Colm Roberts. Both accused had access to interpreters for the duration of their hearings.
Each charge sheet states: “That you (name of defendant ) on dates between February 27th and March 14th, both dates inclusive, within the State, did conspire with one or more persons, namely (nine other names), to do an act in the State that constitutes a serious offence, namely the importation of controlled drugs in excess of €13,000, an offence contrary of Section 15 B (1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 as amended and contrary to Section 71 (1) a(4) of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 as amended by Section 4 (b) of the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023."
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