A man described by gardai as running a cocaine operation has been refused bail at Limerick District Court following his arrest in connection with a seizure of €1million worth of drugs and cash, last Saturday.
James Curtis, (49), with an address at Reiska, Kilcommon, Thurles, was “caught red handed” in a field, located near his home, in possession of a potatoe bag containing 5kg of cocaine, gardai alleged during a bail hearing at Limerick District Court, Monday.
Gardai discovered €41,000 cash and a further 4.25kg of cocaine in a barrel buried in the field, as well as a plastic Pennys bag containing €336,000, the court heard.
Mr Curtis is charged with possession of an estimated €647,000 worth of cocaine for sale or supply, contrary to Section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act, as well as a charge of simple possession contrary to Section 3 of the Act.
Detective Sergeant Andrew Lyons, Tipperary Divisional Drugs Unit, told the court, he believed Mr Curtis was “in the upper echelon of a criminal fraternity”.
“He is not receiving orders from other people, it’s his own operation,” Det Sgt Lyons alleged.
He further alleged the accused has “access to considerable resources” and is “a man of substantial means”.
Detective Lyons objected to bail on the “nature, degree and seriousness of the offences”, as well as his belief that, Mr Curtis would “abscond” and continue selling cocaine if granted bail.
Detective Sgt Lyons said an analysis of a sample of the items found in the field by a scientist at Forensic Science Ireland “confirmed” it to be cocaine.
Further charges against the accused were being contemplated, he said.
He said gardai “observed” Mr Curtis leaving his house in Reiska, “under the cover of darkness”, on the 30th of October, walking along a “secluded country road” and crossing into a field were he was found in possession of the drugs.
He alleged Mr Curtis “dropped” the bag of cocaine as gardai approached him.
Detective Sgt Lyons said the accused, if convicted, faced a sentence of up to life in prison, and the offences against him were “of the higher end of the scale”.
He said Mr Curtis walked at night to the field near a wood, without the aid of a torch, and he wore “latex gloves” to “prevent forensic evidence” being detected on the items found in the field.
Detective Lyons said the accused had not given gardai any explanation “for his presence” in the field.
Detective Lyons further alleged “the cocaine, and the cash – from the sale and supply of drugs – were the property of Mr Curtis”.
Objecting the garda’s reference to cash, Mr Curtis’s solicitor, Tom Kiely, said his client was not charged with possession of cash allegedly found at the scene.
Both prosecution and defence agreed Mr Curtis does not have an addiction to drugs.
Mr Kiely said Mr Curtis was transferred by ambulance from garda custody to hospital after claiming he sustained injuries during the course of his arrest.
Detective Lyons said he could not comment on this.
He said it was agreed the accused be taken to hospital after he informed gardai and paramedics that he had tested positive for COVID-19 the previous week. Mr Curtis had since tested negative for the virus, the court heard.
Cross-examining Det Sgt Lyons, Mr Kiely asked if he agreed that it is the “responsible thing to do” for people to wear latex gloves in these days of the coronavirus”, to which Lyons replied, “I don’t believe (the gloves) had anything to do with COVID.”
Mr Kiely said his client was in court “sporting a nice black eye”, and while he was “not making an allegation” against anyone, that “questions need to be answered” about the injury.
Mr Kiely said there was “no escaping the seriousness of the charges” but his client “enjoys the presumption of innocence”.
He added there was “no evidence” the accused would abscond if granted bail.
Judge O ‘Leary said she was only “dealing with the cocaine” charges, and that the cash was “a matter for another day”.
She refused bail and remanded Mr Curtis to appear before Nenagh District Court, via video ink, for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions, on November 11th.
