Ireland Man remanded in custody over €2.1m cannabis trafficking in Emo, Laois
On Monday 30 August 2021, gardaí seized about 121kg of suspected cannabis herb, valued at €2,180,000, concealed in boxes of vegetables at a storage facility in Emo, Co Laois. A 25-year-old Lithuanian man, Ugnius Sakalis, of Clondalkin, Dublin, was arrested at the scene and detained at Portlaoise Garda Station under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996. On 1 September 2021 he was charged with possession of drugs for sale or supply, which he has not been found to have committed, and appeared before Tullamore District Court, where Judge Catherine Staines remanded him in custody with no bail application made. He is next due to appear before Cloverhill District Court on 8 September 2021.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrested30 Aug
4 reports - Charged1 Sep
- In court1 Sep
5 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Gardaí seized approximately 121kg of suspected cannabis herb, pending analysis.
- The estimated value of the cannabis was €2,180,000, reported in some sources as €2.1 million.
- The cannabis was packaged and concealed within boxes of vegetables that had been unloaded from an articulated truck, with some sources describing the vegetables as courgettes and peppers.
- Where
- The drugs were found at a storage facility and surrounding area at Cappakeel, Emo, Co Laois, on a rural road parallel to the M7 near the former Montague hotel.
- When
- Gardaí responded at about 9.30am on Monday 30 August 2021 to a report of unusual activity.
- Investigation
- Gardaí received an alert about a suspicious delivery of fresh vegetables to a non-refrigerated premises in an unusual location, and a search followed.
- Other details
- The premises had been rented by a local property owner whom gardaí believe was not involved, and there is no suspected involvement by those delivering the vegetables.
- Gardaí believe there is a European element to the smuggling operation, and the seizure forms part of Operation Tara.
- A man in his 20s was arrested at the scene and detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996 at Portlaoise Garda Station.
- Ugnius Sakalis, 25, a Lithuanian man of 6 Monastery Gate Close, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, replied 'I understand, it's all true' when arrested, charged and cautioned.
- Charges
- Ugnius Sakalis was charged on 1 September 2021 with possession of drugs for sale or supply at Cappakeel, Emo, Portlaoise, on 30 August 2021, an allegation.
- In court
- At Tullamore District Court on 1 September 2021, Detective Garda Gerard Galwey sought remand in custody for directions from the DPP, and no bail application was made.
- Judge Catherine Staines remanded Sakalis in custody to appear before Cloverhill District Court on 8 September 2021, with a Lithuanian interpreter assisting him and him not speaking during the appearance.
78 statements extracted from the articles
- whatGardaí seized approximately 121kg of suspected cannabis herb (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe cannabis had an estimated value of €2,180,000 (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe cannabis was concealed in boxes of vegetables previously unloaded from an articulated truck (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe cannabis was packaged and concealed within the boxes of vegetables, pending analysis (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA man in his 20s was arrested at the scene (irishmirror.ie)
- whatGardaí seized approximately 121 kilogrammes of suspected cannabis herb (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatThe estimated value of the cannabis was €2,180,000 (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatThe cannabis was hidden in a shipment of vegetables (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatPallets containing boxes of vegetables had previously been unloaded from an articulated truck (leinsterexpress.ie)
- what121kg of packaged cannabis herb was concealed within the boxes of vegetables (leinsterexpress.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- whatGardaí seized approximately 121kg of suspected cannabis herb with an estimated value of €2,180,000. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatMore than €2.1 million worth of cannabis herb was seized (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatThe drugs were concealed in boxes of courgettes and peppers (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatA man was charged in connection with the drug seizure in Emo (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatThe estimated value of the seized cannabis was €2,180,000 (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatGardaí seized approximately 121 kilogrammes of suspected cannabis herb with an estimated value of €2,180,000. (garda.ie)
- whatThe cannabis was concealed within boxes of vegetables that had previously been unloaded from an articulated truck. (garda.ie)
- whatThe boxes of vegetables had been unloaded from an articulated truck at a storage facility. (garda.ie)
- whatGardaí seized 121kg of suspected cannabis herb (rte.ie)
- whatThe cannabis was worth an estimated €2,180,000 (rte.ie)
- whatThe seized cannabis was worth an estimated €2.1m (kildarenow.com)
- whatSuspected cannabis worth an estimated €2.1m was seized in the Midlands (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatThe accused is Ugnius Sakalis, 25, of 6 Monastery Gate Close, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatSuspected cannabis worth an estimated €2.1m was seized in Co Laois. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatThe accused replied 'I understand, it's all true' when arrested, charged and cautioned. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whereGardaí responded to a report of unusual activity on a rural road in Emo, Co. Laois (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe incident occurred on a rural road in Emo, Co Laois (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whereThe seizure took place on a rural road in Emo, Laois. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whereThe discovery was at a location parallel to the M7 motorway near the former Montague hotel (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whereThe detained man had been living in Dublin (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whereThe drug seizure was in Emo, Laois (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whereGardaí responded to a report of unusual activity in Emo, County Laois, at approximately 9.30am. (garda.ie)
- whereUgnius Sakalis has an address at Monastery Close, Clondalkin, Dublin (rte.ie)
- whereThe cannabis was discovered during a search of a storage facility and its surrounding areas in Emo, Co Laois (rte.ie)
- whereThe drugs were seized at Cappakeel, Emo, Portlaoise (kildarenow.com, leinsterexpress.ie)
- whenThe seizure took place on Monday morning, 30 August 2021 (irishmirror.ie, leinsterexpress.ie)
- whenGardaí responded to the report at approximately 9.30am (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whenGardaí responded to the report at approximately 9.30am on Monday 30 August 2021. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whenThe seizure took place on the morning of Monday 30 August 2021. (garda.ie)
- whenThe seizure took place on 30 August 2021 (kildarenow.com)
- whenThe drugs were seized on 30 August 2021. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationGardaí searched a storage facility and the surrounding areas (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe man was detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996 at Portlaoise Garda Station (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí conducted a search of a storage facility and the surrounding areas (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationThe man was detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996 in Portlaoise Garda Station (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationInvestigations are ongoing (leinsterexpress.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationGardaí searched a storage facility and surrounding areas and found pallets of boxes of vegetables unloaded from an articulated truck. (offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationGardaí received an alert about a suspicious delivery of fresh vegetables to a non-refrigerated premises in an unusual location (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationThe man continues to be questioned at Portlaoise Garda Station (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationThe man is detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996, in Portlaoise Garda Station. (garda.ie)
- chargeThe man arrested in connection with the drug seizure has been charged. (garda.ie)
- chargeA 25-year-old man was charged in relation to the seizure of suspected cannabis worth an estimated €2.1 million (rte.ie)
- chargeHe is accused of possession of drugs for sale or supply at Cappakeel, Emo, Portlaoise, on 30 August (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe man is due to appear before Tullamore District Court on Wednesday 1 September 2021 (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtHe is scheduled to appear before Tullamore District Court on 1 September 2021. (garda.ie)
- courtUgnius Sakalis appeared before Tullamore District Court on 1 September 2021 (rte.ie)
- courtJudge Catherine Staines remanded him in custody (rte.ie)
- courtHe is to appear before Cloverhill District Court on 8 September (rte.ie)
- courtDetective Garda Gerard Galwey sought remand in custody for DPP directions (kildarenow.com)
- courtNo application for bail was made (kildarenow.com, offalyexpress.ie, leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtJudge Catherine Staines remanded the accused in custody to Cloverhill District Court on 8 September 2021 (kildarenow.com, leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtDetective Garda Gerard Galwey sought a remand in custody for directions from the DPP (offalyexpress.ie, leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtJudge Catherine Staines remanded him in custody to Cloverhill District Court on 8 September (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe case was heard at Tullamore District Court on 1 September 2021. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherOne man aged in his 20s was arrested at the scene (leinsterexpress.ie, garda.ie)
- otherA man in his 20s was arrested at the scene and detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996 at Portlaoise Garda Station. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThe detained man was of European origin (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThere is a European element to the drug smuggling operation (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThe premises had been rented out by a local property owner who gardaí believe was not involved (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThere does not appear to have been any involvement by those delivering the vegetables (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherUgnius Sakalis is originally from Lithuania (rte.ie)
- otherSakalis replied 'I understand, it's all true' when arrested, charged and cautioned (kildarenow.com)
- otherSakalis was assisted by a Lithuanian language interpreter during his appearance (kildarenow.com)
- otherHe replied that it was all true when arrested, charged and cautioned (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherHe was wearing a yellow high visibility jacket and dark trousers and did not speak during his appearance (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherHe was assisted by a Lithuanian language interpreter (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThe accused was assisted by a Lithuanian language interpreter. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThe accused did not speak during his brief appearance. (leinsterexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 2 Sep2021'It's all true' man told garda after €2.1m Laois drugs seizure
Court appearance at Tullamore District Court where the accused was remanded in custody; no bail application made; remanded to Cloverhill District Court on 8 September 2021.
accused, Ugnius Sakalis, 25, male, Lithuanian, named, non-irishUgnius Sakalis - 2 Sep2021Man in Tullamore court in connection with massive drugs seizure told gardai 'it's all true'
First court appearance; remanded in custody to Cloverhill District Court on 8 September 2021. No bail application made.
suspect, Ugnius Sakalis, 25, male, Lithuanian, named, non-irishUgnius Sakalis - 2 Sep2021'It's all true,' man told garda after €2.1m Emo drugs seizure
First court appearance; remanded in custody with no bail application made; next appearance at Cloverhill District Court on 8 September 2021.
suspect, Ugnius Sakalis, 25, male, Lithuanian, named, non-irishUgnius Sakalis - 1 Sep2021Man charged in connection with €2.1m cannabis seizure
Provides the presiding judge's name (Catherine Staines), the suspect's specific address (Monastery Close, Clondalkin), the exact weight (121kg) and value (€2,180,000) of the cannabis, and that he was remanded to Cloverhill District Court on 8 September.
suspect, Ugnius Sakalis, 25, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Ugnius Sakalis - 1 Sep2021Court Appearance - €2.1 Million Cannabis Seized, Operation Tara, Laois, 30/8/21
Confirms the man has been charged and is scheduled to appear before Tullamore District Court on 1 September 2021. Adds detail that the cannabis was concealed in boxes of vegetables previously unloaded from an articulated truck at a storage facility.
suspect, 20s, male - 1 Sep2021Man due to appear in court charged with alleged possession of over €2 million worth of drugs in Laois
Reports that the man has been charged and provides the specific quantity (121kg) and value (€2,180,000) of the cannabis seized, confirming the Tullamore District Court appearance.
suspect, male - 31 Aug2021Persistent detective work by Laois Garda helps uncover huge cannabis find
Provides details on how the drugs were concealed (in boxes of courgettes and peppers), the exact location (parallel to M7 near former Montague hotel), the method of detection (alert about suspicious vegetable delivery to a non-refrigerated premises), and that the detained man was of European origin living in Dublin. Confirms a European element to the smuggling operation and that the local property owner and vegetable deliverers are not believed to be involved.
suspect, male, non-irish - 30 Aug2021BREAKING: Gardai make huge drugs seizure in Midlands after spotting 'unusual activity' on rural road
Provides operational details of the seizure: 121kg of cannabis concealed in boxes of vegetables at a storage facility in Emo, Laois, and confirms a man in his 20s was arrested and detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996 at Portlaoise Garda Station.
suspect, 20s, male - 30 Aug2021BREAKING Laois Gardaí make enormous €2 million cannabis seizure
Provides operational details of the seizure: cannabis was concealed in boxes of vegetables previously unloaded from an articulated truck at a storage facility; exact weight (121kg) and value (€2,180,000) confirmed; arrest made under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996; part of Operation Tara.
suspect, 20s, male - 30 Aug2021Gardai seize €2.1 million worth of cannabis after huge raid in Laois
Reports the initial seizure and arrest; details that the cannabis was concealed in boxes of vegetables unloaded from an articulated truck, and that the operation was part of Operation Tara.
suspect, 20s, male