Three men charged after €2m worth of drugs seized from van are sent for trial
Gary Hanley (36), Sean Mackey (54) and Jie Liu (39) appeared on bail before Blanchardstown District Court.
Three men facing drug charges after gardai intercepted a van carrying €2m of suspected cannabis have been sent forward for trial.
Gary Hanley (36), Sean Mackey (54) and Jie Liu (39) were served with the books of evidence when they appeared on bail before Blanchardstown District Court.
Mr Hanley, with an address at North Great Clarence Street, Dublin 1, Mr Mackey, a casino croupier of Blessington Street, Dublin 7 and Mr Liu, a food delivery driver formerly of Cedar Grove, Swords, were arrested on Dublin's N3 on February 22, 2024.
They were charged with unlawful possession of 100 kilos of cannabis worth €2m and having the drugs for sale or supply.
Sean Mackey
They are also charged under Section 15a of the Misuse of Drugs Act, where the alleged value of the drugs is greater than €13,000.
Mr Liu is separately charged with possessing €1m worth of cannabis, MDMA, amphetamines and ketamine at an apartment in Westend Villas, Blanchardstown, allegedly leased by him.
A State solicitor said the book of evidence was ready and had been served on the accused, who go forward to the present sittings of Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Judge David McHugh gave the men the formal alibi caution.
Jie Liu
The judge assigned defence solicitors Matthew Kenny, Darren Gray and Donal Quigley on free legal aid, as well as junior counsel and senior counsel for all three accused.
The men have not yet indicated how they are pleading to the charges.
They were charged after detectives from the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) intercepted a van carrying €2m of suspected cannabis.
At a previous hearing, gardai alleged Mr Hanley drove to Blanchardstown and met two other vehicles. Mr Mackey was allegedly in a Toyota Corolla, and Mr Liu drove an Opel Vivaro van.
After a short interaction, gardai claimed they drove to Athboy, Co Meath, where phones were exchanged.
It was alleged they drove back to Dublin in a "close proximity" convoy but were intercepted on the N3 northbound.
About 100 kilos of cannabis worth €2m were recovered in the van allegedly driven by Mr Liu, gardai said.
The court had heard Mr Hanley's car was stopped a short distance away, and he allegedly locked the doors as gardai approached and began to "smash" a phone.
It was alleged an additional €1m worth of various drugs was found following a search at the apartment rented by Mr Liu in Blanchardstown.
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