MAN IN CUSTODY AFTER 1.8 MILLION POUND CANNABIS SEIZURE

A 39 YEAR OLD Limerickman appeared before a special sitting of Limerick
District Court on Saturday night in connection with the biggest ever
seizure of drugs in the city, estimated at a street value of 1.8 million
pounds.

Members of the Garda National Drugs Unit, Dublin Castle, backed up by
members of the Limerick Garda Drugs Squad uncovered the huge cannabis resin
haul when they swooped on an apartment on Friday afternoon.

Patrick Scanlan, 9 Davis Street, was charged before Judge Tom O'Donnell of
being in possession of cannabis resin for the purpose of sale or supply at
Mount Kenneth Place on June 25, 1999, in contravention of the Misuse of
Drugs Act 1977.

Scanlan was further charged with unlawfully being in possession of cannabis
resin on the same occasion. Det/Sergt Pat Walsh, Garda National Drugs Unit,
gave evidence of arresting the accused on June 26, 1999 at Henry Street
Station and charging him after caution. In reply Scanlan said he had
"nothing to say".

Mr Ted McCarthy, Solicitor, who was assigned to the accused by Judge
O'Donnell, told the court that Scanlan was unemployed and said to be close
to being destitute at the moment.

Mr McCarthy said that he would not be making an application for bail now,
but will apply on Wednesday, June 30.

Following an application by Garda Inspector John Murphy, Henry Street
Station, prosecuting, Judge O'Donnell remanded the accused in custody to
Wednesday's sitting of the court. Inspector Murphy indicated that the
gardai will oppose bail.