Five people charged with the importation of the largest cocaine haul ever seized in the State were again remanded in custody when they appeared yesterday at Mallow District Court.
The seizure on September 29th, which could have a street value of more than £200 million, was made in the Aghada area of Cork Harbour after the Customs and Excise Service received a tip off from a yachtsman who became suspicious of the movements of a converted fishing trawler.
The five accused have been charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of selling, or supplying, to others, and with the unlawful importation of the drug.
They are: Mr Howard Charles Miller (47), of Ambelside, Cumbria, England Mr Gordon Richards (52), South Hill Lane, Brighton, England Mr James Noel (51), Castries, St Lucia, West Indies Mr Roman Smollen (50), Rodney Bay, St Lucia and Ms Theresa Bernadette da Silva Roy (19), of Puerta de la Cruz, Venezuela.
They are due to appear next at Kanturk District Court on October 16th, when the court will decide on an application for free legal aid.