In one of the most extensive crystal meth confiscations ever seen throughout the nation, a man was apprehended. The total drug value exceeded €32 million, leading to substantial denial of bail from the High Court. This remained the case even after his father offered to sell their family home and ensured a €200,000 surety.
The accused individual, James Leen, 41, Putney Hill, Kilmourna, Listowel, Co Kerry, is faced with two allegations of drug smuggling at Cork Port, Ringaskiddy, on the 16th of October, last year. Charged with possession of methylamphetamine, or crystal meth, Leen allegedly had nearly €13,000 worth of the substance stored at the Ballyseedy Garden Centre between the 27th October and mid-February.
Nathan McDonnell, high-ranking executive at the co-accused Ballyseedy, along with Leen was denied bail at both District and High Court in February. High Court Judge Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring refused Leen’s bail because she viewed him as a potential absconder.
The court was informed that Leen was in the process of developing a travel application, which the judge found puzzling, considering he was a legal aid recipient who had visited various countries recently.
Det Sgt Ernie Henderson disapproved of offering Leen bail. He recounted that, prompted by information from the Kerry Divisional Drugs Unit, on February 15th, Customs officials at Cork Port inspected a mysterious container. This contained a non-functioning magnetic separator machine with an elaborate secret compartment apparently designed to conceal narcotics. The machine had been filled with 543 kg of crystal meth. According to the gardaí, the cargo had arrived from Mexico on 16th October at Cork Port.
Henderson also suggested that Leen played a vital role in the logistics of the drug smuggling operation and supposedly coordinated with various international contacts. A business, whose former CEO was identified as ‘Grandma’, reportedly transferred €40,000 for the separator machine.
McDonnell allegedly managed the €20,000 shipping fees. For several months, the machine was stored at Ballyseedy Garden Centre before being transported to Cork Port, poised for delivery to Australia.
Further emphasising the magnitude of the situation, Henderson indicated that while the narcotics value in Ireland was €32.8 million, the sum would have significantly increased if it reached Australia. Consequently, the court is set to review additional serious charges in this complex case.
CCTV footage was presented to the court, displaying Mr McDonnell placing a machine into a garden centre container and handing shipping documents to Mr Leen. The alleged crimes, upon proven guilt, impose a compulsory minimal jail term of 10 years, escalating to a potential life sentence.
The police representative mentioned Mr Leen’s frequent absences from Ireland, travelling to countries such as Columbia, Spain, UAE, Brazil, and the Netherlands. The officer expressed anxiety that Mr Leen could place himself outside the jurisdiction of An Garda Síochána should he be granted bail.
Defending his client, Ronan Prendergast informed the court that his client had been developing a travel app for cellphones, which was due to become operational. He defended that even though his client did not possess Irish property, he had connections due to his family living in Ireland.
Prendergast stated that his client’s father, present in the public gallery, assured the defence he would list his house for sale to meet the €200,000 bail.
However, Ms Justice Ring denied the bail application, stating although Mr Leen was presumed innocent until proven guilty, she accepted the likelihood that he may evade his trial if freed.