Man in Cork remanded in custody on drug and money-laundering charges 

A 25-year-old man facing charges of having thousands of euro worth of cannabis and thousands in cash in Cork city at the start of the year was remanded in custody until January 27.

Judge John King remanded Igor Auila Silva in custody for a fortnight on the application of Sergeant Dave Delea at Cork District Court.

Garda Elaine Gallery arrested Igor Auila Silva with an address at North Quay Place, Pope’s Quay, and charged him with two counts of money-laundering, specifically that on January 3 at an apartment at Patrick’s Hill, he had €6,201 cash, the proceeds of criminal conduct, and that on January 4 at a room at North Quay Place, Pope’s Quay, he had €3,391 cash, the proceeds of criminal conduct.

He was further charged under the Misuse of Drugs Act on counts including having cannabis resin for sale or supply on January 3 at an apartment on Patrick’s Hill.

Defence solicitor Eddie Burke said the accused would not consent to a remand in custody for anything longer than two weeks — the period for which no consent is required.

“The nature of the evidence is strong. Following a search of the accused on January 3, €11,220 in suspected cannabis herb and €280 cannabis resin were located along with weighing scales, bagging equipment and €6,201 in cash. Another address associated with Mr Silva was searched on January 4 and €3,931 cash and suspected drugs were found,” Garda Gallery said.

Defence solicitor, Eddie Burke, said the accused was in Ireland on a Brazilian passport from December 3, 2021, and he was working here in a number of jobs and he has no previous convictions.