Gardaí had placed alleged heroin dealers under surveillance in Cork city

Four men, who are allegedly members of a Lithuanian organised crime gang that was under garda surveillance in Cork city, were remanded in custody for two weeks today.

Eddie Burke, solicitor, who represented the four accused, complained of the delay in the case where the defendants have been in custody since March 25 but Sergeant Gearóid Davis said that there was progress in the case as the garda file was sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions on August 18.

Sgt Davis said: “There were 450 exhibits in the case, 30 certificates of analysis from Forensic Science Ireland, as well as ballistics and DNA evidence.

“The investigation was based on surveillance carried out in relation to an alleged organised criminal gang, allegedly dealing heroin in Cork city.

“Up to mid-July, nine people had been arrested as part of the investigation. The file has been compiled and submitted to the DPP and we are awaiting directions."

Judge Mary Dorgan refused the defence application to strike out the cases because of delay or to make the adjournment peremptory against the State.

All four men appeared at Cork District Court by video link from prison where they were remanded in custody until September 17.

46-year-old Jonas Pavilionis, of no fixed address, is charged with having heroin and possessing it for sale or supply on the second floor of Douglas Shopping Centre car park on March 25, and having a machete on the same date.

The value of the alleged seizure was €3,920.

He was charged that on Sunday March 23 at Audley Place, St Patrick’s Hill, Cork, he had two bill-hooks. The allegation was that he was seen stashing them behind an electricity box.

33-year-old Karolis Guzauskas, faces 12 counts of possession of diamorphine (heroin) and 12 counts of having heroin for sale or supply.

The detective said that on five dates, the defendant allegedly sold heroin to 12 undercover gardaí in the Fitzgerald’s Park and Mardyke area.

38-year-old Aleksandras Kuznecovas of no fixed address, was allegedly identified as one of the main street dealers in the operation and charged with selling diamorphine on three different occasions to undercover gardaí.

The dates of these controlled purchases were January 19 2024 at Thomas Davis Bridge, Western Road, Cork, and January 23 2024 (on Mardyke Bridge) and January 25 2024 (on the banks of the Lee Walkway). Three bags of diamorphine were sold.

46-year-old Pranas Motriuk of 13 Manor Grove, Thornbury View, Rochestown, Cork, is charged with three counts under the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act related to an improvised shotgun, a 9mm Zoraki semi-automatic pistol and ammunition.

He is charged with having two false IDs, namely a Lithuanian driver’s licence and a personal ID card, allegedly carrying his picture but someone else’s name.

All of those charges relate to March 25 at his home in Rochestown.

Finally, he is charged with money-laundering in relation to sums of €470 and €1,050 at North City Link Road on September 25 2024, and at Kyrls Street on October 3 2024, respectively.