Thursday 29 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. 10805Possession of cocaine and cannabis for sale or supply · Co. Laois · 4 Feb 2025

Two men plead guilty over €14m drugs seizure in Laois

On 4 February 2025, Gardaí seized 182kg of cocaine and 4kg of cannabis at Laois Motor Works, Manor Street, Mountmellick, Co Laois, and further drugs and cash were found at Eaton Close, Rathcoole, Dublin, bringing the total drug value to €14.1 million. Robert Wojtanowicz and Robert Cup, aged 45, pleaded guilty at Portlaoise Circuit Court to drug possession for sale or supply and related charges, and the prosecution agreed that €20,000 found in Rathcoole would be forfeited to the State. Both men were remanded in custody after the pleas, which were reported on 25 February 2026. The latest development is that sentencing is set for a hearing in March, and an interpreter was ordered for it.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court25 Feb
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Robert Wojtanowicz and Robert Cup pleaded guilty at Portlaoise Circuit Court over a drugs seizure in Laois.
  • In Mountmellick, 182kg of cocaine and 4kg of cannabis herb valued at €12.8 million were seized.
  • In total the operation seized 199kg of cocaine, 4kg of cannabis and €25,000 in cash, with a total drug value of €14.1 million.
Where
  • The drugs were found in a container and in secret compartments of cars at Laois Motor Works, Manor Street, Mountmellick.
  • Further drugs and cash were found at Eaton Close, Rathcoole, Dublin.
When
The seizure took place on 4 February 2025.
Charges
  • Wojtanowicz pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine and cannabis worth over €13,000 for sale or supply and to two counts of possessing articles intended for use in a drug trafficking offence.
  • Cup pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine and cannabis worth over €13,000 for sale or supply and to possessing an article intended for use in a drug trafficking offence at Laois Motor Works.
  • The key facts say each man pleaded guilty to three charges, but the listed charges show Wojtanowicz with three and Cup with two.
In court
  • Both men were remanded in custody after the guilty pleas, which were reported on 25 February 2026.
  • The jury was excused from duty for three years after the guilty pleas.
Sentence
Sentencing is adjourned to a hearing in March, and an interpreter was ordered for that hearing.
Other details
The prosecution agreed that €20,000 found in Rathcoole would be forfeited to the State.
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatTwo men pleaded guilty to three charges each in connection with the seizure. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatIn Mountmellick, 182kgs of cocaine and 4kgs of cannabis herb valued at €12.8 million were seized. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatThe operation seized 199kgs of cocaine, four kilograms of cannabis and €25,000 in cash in total. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe drugs were found at Laois Motor Works, Manor Street, Mountmellick. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereFurther drugs were found in Dublin, bringing the total value to €14.1 million. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe seizure took place on 4 February 2025. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeWojtanowicz pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine and cannabis worth over €13,000 for sale or supply. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeWojtanowicz pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing articles intended for use in a drug trafficking offence. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeCup pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine and cannabis valued over €13,000 for sale or supply. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeCup pleaded guilty to possessing an article intended for use in a drug trafficking offence at Laois Motor Works. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtWojtanowicz was remanded in custody and the case was adjourned for sentencing. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtBoth men were remanded in custody, and an interpreter was ordered for the sentencing hearing in March. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe jury was excused from duty for three years after the guilty pleas. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherProsecution agreed that €20,000 found in Rathcoole would be forfeited to the State. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 25 Feb2026
    In courtleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Guilty pleas entered ahead of trial over largest ever drug seizure in Laois

    Reports guilty pleas entered at Portlaoise Circuit Court, the forfeiture agreement on €20,000, and the remand in custody. No existing case matched this incident.

    accused, Robert Wojtanowicz, 46, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Robert Wojtanowiczaccused, Robert Cup, 45, male, namedRobert Cup