Man who stored cannabis in Cork farmhouse remanded in custody until February

An organiser and distributor of drugs in county Cork, who was caught driving through White’s Cross with €40,000 worth of cannabis in his car and a further €80,000 at a nearby farmhouse, was remanded in custody for sentencing in February.

The defence in the case had asked for him to be remanded on continuing bail for a probation report pending sentence in February.

Judge Helen Boyle said she would agree with the part of the application requesting a probation report but only with the accused remanded in custody.

Paula McCarthy, defence barrister, said the accused retrieved cannabis from a wardrobe in the farmhouse before he was caught with it in his car.

The barrister said he met the matter fairly and that he pleaded guilty the day before the matter was to go to trial by judge and jury. Judge Boyle said his status has changed and also noted that the state was opposed to him being released on bail for a probation report in advance of sentencing in February 2025.

“I am going to remand him in custody until February 18,” Judge Boyle said.

He was an organiser and distributor of drugs and coming from Lithuania he had no ties to this jurisdiction, Detective Sergeant Ian Cahalane said.

36-year-old Egidijus Kozolovas, with addresses at The Avenue, Ardpatrick, Blackpool, and Mill Park, Mallow Road, Blackpool, was arraigned and pleaded guilty to being in possession of the drugs for sale or supply.

The first charge related to a car at White’s Cross. The second charge concerned a farmhouse at Temple Michael, White’s Cross, both on July 9, 2021.

Allegations previously outlined in court were that that he was observed exiting the farmhouse at White’s Cross with packages and placing them in the car and that these were seized when the car was stopped by gardaí.

2kg of cannabis was found in the car with a street value of €40,000 and 4kg of the drug were found in the farmhouse with an approximate value of €80,000.