Two men appear in court after seizure of more than €90,000 of drugs in Athlone

Two men in their 20s have appeared in court in connection with the seizure of more than €90,000 worth of drugs in Athlone last week.

Gardai said the Westmeath Divisional Drug Unit, supported by the Garda Dog Unit, DDU Athlone, and student Gardaí, conducted a search at a domestic residence in Thornbury Drive, Meadowbrook, Athlone on Thursday last, June 4.

A statement from the Garda press office said that, during this operation, Gardaí seized €85,000 of suspected cocaine, €8000 of suspected cannabis, €2,000 in cash and "electronic devices of evidential value".

Two men, Paulo Ceilo Matias (28) and Manuel Miranda (20), both of 64 Thornbury Drive, were arrested and appeared in court on Friday last having each been charged with drugs offences.

Mr Matias was charged with possession of cocaine and possession of cannabis, for the purpose of sale or supply, at his home address on Thursday last. He was also charged with counts of possession of cannabis and possession of cocaine.

At his district court appearance on Friday the 28-year-old was remanded in custody, with consent to bail, and he was due to appear again before Longford District Court today (Tuesday).

Mr Miranda, meanwhile, was charged with possession of cocaine, and possession of the drug for the purpose of sale or supply, at the Thurnbury Drive address on Thursday last.

He was remanded on bail, to await directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), and is due to appear again before Athlone District Court on July 22.