UK resident charged with having €1.6m stash of cannabis

Gardaí have arrested a man at a storage unit at Little Island and charged him with having a €1.6m stash of cannabis.

Detective Garda Derry O’Brien testified yesterday at Cork District Court that he arrested the accused for the purpose of charging. With the assistance of a Mandarin interpreter, the defendant made no reply to the charges.

Han Xiaochen, aged 30, with an address at 907 Griffith’s Close, Birmingham, was charged with possession of cannabis, and having the illegal drug for the purpose of sale or supply to others. 

Both counts refer to Monday, July 6, at U Store It, Unit 24, Euro Business Park, Little Island, Co Cork.

Detective Garda O’Brien said Han Xiaochen made no reply to the charges.

Sergeant David Fleming applied for a remand in custody for one week to July 14, stating that the gardaí were opposed to bail being granted.

Judge David Waters clarified with the defendant through the interpreter that he knew what was happening. The defendant then indicated that he was not making an application for bail. 

The judge said that if the accused decided at a later stage to apply for bail, then he should put the State on 48 hours’ notice.

In terms of jurisdiction, the judge asked the value of the alleged drug seizure. When told it was €1.6m, Judge Waters said that it clearly would not be a matter for district court jurisdiction. 

A sample of the seizure will have to be analysed at Forensic Science Ireland. The defendant’s next court appearance will be by video link from prison next week.