Two individuals from Brazil have been apprehended for smuggling packages of cocaine through Dublin Airport, with a total worth exceeding €158,000. Lucas Alues, aged 25, and Valter Soares, aged 26, were taken into custody on Sunday, September 8th upon landing at Terminal 1. Neither of the men have residencies in Ireland.
The two men underwent individual court hearings under the supervision of Judge Gerard Jones at Dublin District Court on the following Friday, and interpreters were present to aid their understanding of the proceedings. Their defence lawyer, Tracy Horan, indicated that both clients had plans to submit a signed declaration of guilt to the Director of Public Prosecutions and asked for their cases to be escalated to the Circuit Court.
Both defendants were formally charged with unlawful possession, importation of cocaine, and intent to distribute under the Misuse of Drugs Act. Garda Peter Elliot stated that Mr Alues, from whom cocaine worth €70,000 was confiscated, did not react when the charges were read to him. Similarly, Garda James Martin reported that Mr Soares, whose confiscated cocaine had a market value of €88,270, did not respond when charged.
Ms Horan revealed that no requests for bail were submitted and Judge Jones decided to keep them in custody. The two individuals are scheduled for another court appearance next week and have been afforded legal assistance.