Two Scots suspects named in Irish court over £26million cocaine plot sting
COKE CLAIMS Two Scots suspects named in Irish court over £26million cocaine plot sting
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TWO Scots have appeared in court in connection with a £26million cocaine seizure off the coast of Ireland.
Mark Doherty, 40, of Pollok, Glasgow, and Ben Sandford, 40, of Keith, Moray, faced the charges at Bandon District Court along with two other suspects.
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Glasgow suspect Mark Doherty hides his face as he arrives at court in Ireland today.
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Scots suspect Ben Sandford used his jumper to shield his face outside court.
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Christopher Hibbett, from Cornwall, was one of the four arrested.
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Levent Gulay, from Germany, covered his face as he arrived at court in Ireland.
It comes two days after gardai from the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau stopped a van in the Courtmacsherry area of Cork, and a large quantity of suspected cocaine was recovered.
Doherty and Sandford appeared alongside co-accused Levent Gulay, 31, of Bavaria, Germany and Christopher Hibbit, 44, from Cornwall in England.
Both Scots covered their faces as they were taken into court yesterday afternoon.
All four face two charges each of possession of cocaine and possession of cocaine for sale or supply at Meelmane, Courtmacsherry on Tuesday.
Evidence of arrest, charge and caution was given by detectives from the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau to Judge Joanne Carroll.
Detective Garda John McWeeney said he arrested Doherty and charged him with the two charges. He made no reply when charged.
Lawyer Plunkett Taaffe, defending, applied for free legal aid and said his client was not applying for bail at this time.
Judge Carroll said a statement of means must be provided before granting his application.
Detective Garda Marguerite Reilly said she arrested Levent Gulay and charged him with the two drugs charges on July 2 at 20.45 in Bandon Garda Station.
He made no reply. The services of a German interpreter were used both in the Garda Station and in the court this morning.
Lawyer Myra Dineen said there would be no bail application at this time, but there may be at a later date.
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Detective Garda Gavin Curran said he charged Christopher Hibbett and cautioned him.
He made no reply to possession of cocaine but replied to the charge of possession for sale or supply: 'I am f***ing sorry. That's it.'
Detective Garda Shane Kiely said he arrested and charged Ben Sandford who made no reply to the charges.
Sergeant Tom Mulcahy said he was seeking a remand in custody to Macroom District Court on July 9.
Judge Joanne Carroll said the State is to be provided with 48 hours notice of any applications for bail, and statements of means for all defendants requesting free legal aid was to be produced 24 hours in advance of court appearances to give the court time to consider the applications.
She remanded the four defendants in custody, which she said could be for no more than eight days.
They will all appear in Macroom District Court on July 9.
We told how the pair were nicked by armed cops in an early-morning sting off the coast of County Cork.
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Irish forces swoop into action during Tuesday's operation off thee coast of Cork.
Credit: Crispin Rodwell - The Sun Dublin
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Armed officers were involved in the sting that saw four arrested including two Scots.
Credit: Crispin Rodwell - The Sun Dublin
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The Irish Navy also played a big part in the early morning sting.
Credit: Andy Gibson - The Sun Dublin
Forces who smashed the plot suspect a Scottish crime gang masterminded the shipment.
A source familiar with the operation said: 'These suspects are considered to be important cogs of this organised crime group.
'The Scottish gang are heavily involved in transnational drug trafficking, but this smuggling route is now dismantled.
'Crime gangs are targeting fishermen and others who are corrupted by money and greed.
'There is no doubt that these individuals were critical enablers for this criminal organisation.'
A Gardai source said: 'It was a hugely successful operation and should serve as a warning for international drug gangs targeting the Irish coastline.'
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