A 21-year-old man has appeared in court in connection with the discovery of an estimated €1.4 million worth of cocaine in an apartment in Co Kildare.
Richard Larkin of Collinstown Grove, Clondalkin was before Kilmainham District Court today and charged under sections three and 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act, which relates to drug possession and the sale or supply of drugs to others.
The court heard from Detective Garda Thomas Griffin of the Garda National Drugs Unit (GNDU) that Mr Larkin made no reply when he was cautioned and charged shortly before 8pm last night at Naas Garda station.
There was no application for bail during the brief hearing at which Mr Larkin remained silence and gardaí had objected to bail.
Judge Anne Watkin today remanded the accused in custody to appear before Cloverhill District Court next Tuesday, July 15th.
On Wednesday night, gardaí carried out a number of searches in Celbridge and Clondalkin, west Dublin.
Members of the GNDU, acting on intelligence, raided an unfurnished apartment in Simmonstown Manor, Celbridge and foundsignificant drug paraphernalia, along with mixing and processing equipment for cocaine.
During the raid, gardaí discovered 20 kilograms of cocaine and this seizure, depending on further analysis, has a potential street value of €1.4 million.
A Garda spokesman had said the operation also uncovered mixing agents, scales, blenders, a pressing machine and a vacuum packing machine.
The Garda spokesman said the force viewed the disruption of the mixing factory as "a significant development" and the national unit was assisted by local drug units during the searches.
Last Monday, members of the GNDU were also involved in an operation that led to the discovery of heroin worth €4 million in Dublin. The drugs were found in a car when it was stopped on the Navan Road just after it had left the M50.