A 29-year-old man has appeared in court this evening charged in relation to a significant drug seizure in Co Monaghan.
Saulius Vertelis with an address at 117 Riverside, Coolshannagh, Monaghan Town appeared at a special sitting of Trim District Court charged over the seizure of MDMA tablets with an estimated street value of €235,000.
Judge Raymond Finnegan heard that the discovery at the apartment, related to 27,500 ecstasy tablets with a street value of just over €235,000.
The non-national who has lived in Ireland since 2016 has 28 previous convictions mostly for theft and drug charges. He also had 12 previous bench warrants for his arrest issued.
Gardai also discovered 50 grams of cannabis herb valued at €1,000 in a vehicle which Mr Vertelis admitted being the registered owner.
Garda Nathan Conroy from Monaghan Divisional Drugs unit gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution.
He said the 29-year-old had a package delivered to the Monaghan apartment where he resides via DPD’s Athlone distribution centre.
The parcel was marked as puppy dog food and Gardai had organised a controlled operation due to information received in relation to the movement of illegal drugs.
A Garda member in disguise brought the parcel to 117 Riverside, Coolshannagh, Monaghan and Mr Vertelis signed for the parcel, moments later Gardai executed a warrant that was secured under section 26 at Monaghan District Court the previous Wednesday the 23th of July.
They searched the property and illegal drugs were discovered and the Monaghan resident was arrested at the scene.
Gardaí from the Garda National Drugs Unit and Organised Crime Bureau along with Monaghan Divisional Drugs Unit arrested Mr Vertelis yesterday in Monaghan.
Following his arrest at the scene, he was subsequently charged under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.
Judge Finnegan heard that no reply was given when the arrest took place and when he was charged and cautioned also.
The court heard there had been three warrants currently issued for Mr Vertelis’ arrest, one from Dundalk, one from Bray and one from Monaghan.
The court was told that the man who has been a resident in Ireland for the last nine years, attempted to evade custody in Monaghan earlier today when he tried to make a run for it from outside Monaghan Garda Station.
Through submissions to Gardai, the court was told that they believed that Mr Vertelis was working for a third party in relation to the taking of delivery of this consignment of illegal drugs.
The 29-year-old is also an ex drug user and has been in a relationship with a Ukrainian refugee for the past three years.
He was refused bail due to the severity of the charges and the fact he was a flight risk according to Judge Finnegan.
The accused man has been remanded to Cloverhill Prison and will appear via video link at Monaghan District Court on Monday the 28th of July for DPP directions.