Man charged following seizure of €62,000 in cash and €20,000 worth of cannabis in Mullingar

A man has appeared in court charged in connection with the seizure of €62,000 worth of cash and €20,000 worth of suspected cannabis in Mullingar yesterday afternoon.

Father of four, Sipiso Mpobole (37), of 46 Alverno Drive, Willow Park, Athlone, County Westmeath, appeared this morning before Judge Bernadette Owens at Longford District Court.

Following his arrest last night, the accused was charged with unlawful possession of cannabis and possession of cash amounting to €62,100 while knowing, believing or being reckless as to whether or not it was the proceeds of criminal conduct. He made no response to the charges.

Gardaí in Mullingar made the seizure of over €60,000 in cash and approximately €20,000 worth of suspected cannabis herb during a search operation yesterday afternoon, Monday March 4, 2024.

At approximately 5.30pm, gardaí stopped a car on the Dublin Road, Mullingar, County Westmeath. Following a search of the vehicle, €62,000 in cash was located and seized by gardaí.

A male was arrested and detained under the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at a garda station in Westmeath.

Follow-up searches were conducted at two properties in County Westmeath yesterday evening. During the course of the searches, approximately €20,000 of suspected cannabis was seized as well as quantities of suspected cocaine and ‘magic’ mushrooms.

A second male, aged in his 20s, was also arrested as part of the investigation and detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at a garda station in County Westmeath.

Mr Mpobole has been remanded on bail to Mullingar District Court on April 20, 2024.

Investigations are ongoing.