Two Dublin men charged after €2.2m cocaine seizure in Blanchardstown carpark

Two men appeared in court after gardaí intercepted an alleged handover of €1.8m of cocaine in a Smyths shopping bag in Blanchardstown. Total drugs seized across searches reached an estimated €2.2m.

Two Dublin men face drug charges after €2.2m cocaine haul intercepted

Two men have appeared before Dublin courts charged in connection with the seizure of an estimated €2.2 million worth of drugs, RTÉ News reports, following an alleged "handover" of cocaine in a shopping centre car park in Blanchardstown last Friday.

David Royle, 62, of Crumlin Road, Crumlin, and Thomaz Nowosade, 53, of Knightsgate, Rush, Co Dublin were arrested after an operation by the Dublin Crime Response Team (DCRT) on 28 August.

Garda Stephen Byrne from the DCRT told Dublin District Court that Royle was observed parking his car beside Nowosade in a public car park in Blanchardstown. It is alleged that Nowosade then removed a Smyths shopping bag containing an estimated €1.8 million worth of cocaine from his own vehicle and placed it into the boot of Royle's car.

When gardaí stopped and searched Royle's car, they found 18kg of suspected cocaine inside the bag. A further 2kg of cocaine was recovered from Nowosade's vehicle. A follow-up search of Royle's home on Crumlin Road led to the seizure of MDMA and cannabis, bringing the total estimated value to €2.2 million. Gardaí also conducted a further search of Nowosade's car this morning, discovering additional suspected cocaine that has yet to be tested.

Royle appeared before Judge Stephanie Goggins charged with six counts of possession and sale or supply of drugs. Garda Byrne gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution, stating that Royle, described as an IT technician, made no reply when charged. Garda Byrne objected to bail, telling the court he believed Royle was a "trusted member of an organised crime group" and that the drugs would have been distributed throughout the Dublin metropolitan area.

Barrister Patrick Flynn, defending Royle, argued his client carried the presumption of innocence, had no prior record with gardaí, and no history of evading justice. Judge Goggins granted bail on Royle's own bond of €10,000, with €5,000 to be deposited in cash. He is required to reside at his Crumlin Road address, sign on three times per week, and observe a curfew between 11am and 7pm. Royle was unable to meet the bail conditions immediately and was remanded in custody with consent to bail, due to appear before Cloverhill District Court on Friday.

Nowosade appeared separately before Judge Mark O'Connell at the Courts of Criminal Justice and faces four counts — two of drug possession and two of possession with intent to sell or supply. Garda Colin Byrne from the DCRT told that court a mobile phone had been seized from Nowosade, which he believed was used solely for organising drug distribution and was fitted with an encryption device.

Flynn, also representing Nowosade, said his client had no knowledge of the drugs and was not a flight risk. He noted that Nowosade, a Polish national, had been living in Ireland for 20 years and that his wife and son were present in court. Judge O'Connell remanded Nowosade in custody with consent to bail, subject to a lodgement of €5,000 of his own cash and an independent surety. He must reside in Rush, sign on three times a week at Balbriggan Garda Station, and surrender his passport.

Both men are due before Cloverhill District Court on Friday.

Source: RTÉ News