Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 0495Possession of controlled drugs · Co. Cork · 6 Jul 2026

Chinese national charged over €1.6m cannabis stash refused bail as flight risk

On 6 July 2026, €1.6m worth of cannabis was seized at a warehouse on Little Island, Co Cork. Xiaochen Han, a 30-year-old Chinese man, was charged with possession of cannabis and having cannabis for the purpose of sale or supply. He appeared before Cork District Court by video-link on 28 July 2026, where Judge David Waters refused bail citing flight risk and alleged illegal entry via Belfast. Han was remanded in custody to return on 10 August for DPP directions.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court28 Jul
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
€1.6m worth of cannabis was seized at a warehouse in Co Cork.
Where
The cannabis was seized at U Store It, Unit 24, Euro Business Park, Little Island, Co Cork.
When
The incident occurred on 6 July 2026.
Charges
Han was charged with possession of cannabis and having cannabis for the purpose of sale or supply.
In court
Han appeared before Cork District Court by video-link on 28 July 2026 and was remanded in custody to appear on 10 August for DPP directions.
Other details
  • Han allegedly travelled to Cork via Belfast to avoid being flagged by immigration.
  • The State is in possession of Han's Chinese passport.
  • Han's mother brought a €20,000 cash lodgement to court and obtained accommodation for him in Summerhill, Dublin.
  • A sample of the seizure was sent to Forensic Science Ireland for analysis.
  • CCTV captured the full incident according to the prosecution.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • what€1.6m worth of cannabis was seized at a warehouse in Co Cork (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe cannabis was seized at U Store It, Unit 24, Euro Business Park, Little Island, Co Cork (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe incident occurred on 6 July 2026 (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeHan was charged with possession of cannabis and having cannabis for the purpose of sale or supply (irishtimes.com)
  • courtHan appeared before Cork District Court by video-link on 28 July 2026 (irishtimes.com)
  • courtHan was remanded in custody to appear before Cork District Court on 10 August for DPP directions (irishtimes.com)
  • otherHan allegedly travelled to Cork via Belfast to avoid being flagged by immigration (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe State is in possession of Han's Chinese passport (irishtimes.com)
  • otherHan's mother brought a €20,000 cash lodgement to court (irishtimes.com)
  • otherA sample of the seizure was sent to Forensic Science Ireland for analysis (irishtimes.com)
  • otherCCTV captured the full incident according to the prosecution (irishtimes.com)
  • otherHan's mother obtained accommodation for him in Summerhill, Dublin (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 28 Jul2026
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Chinese national charged over €1.6m cannabis stash refused bail as a flight risk

    Reports the bail hearing where Judge David Waters refused bail, citing flight risk and alleged illegal entry. Details the prosecution's objection based on CCTV evidence, the defence's arguments including the mother's €20,000 lodgement and accommodation in Summerhill, Dublin, and the remand to 10 August for DPP directions.

    suspect, Xiaochen Han, 30, male, Chinese, named, non-irishXiaochen Han