One of the two men charged in connection with the seizure of €33 million worth of crystal meth has been further charged with directing the activities of a criminal organisation.
The second man has also been charged with participating in activities to facilitate the importation, sale and supply of drugs by a criminal organisation.
Last February, Revenue Customs Service and gardaí searched a shipping container at the Port of Cork in Ringaskiddy and seized 546kg of synthetic drugs.
These were later certified by Forensic Science Ireland as methamphetamine, more commonly known as crystal meth.
In follow-up searches of homes and businesses in Tralee, Co Kerry, two men were arrested.
41-year-old James Leen, of Pilgrim Hill, Listowel, Co Kerry, was charged with importing the drugs, and with possession of the drugs for sale or supply.
We need your consent to load this rte-player contentWe use rte-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
This morning, Mr Leen appeared at the district court in Tralee where new charges were brought against him.
Detective Sergeant Dave Howard said Mr Leen made no reply when he charged him with directing the activities of a criminal organisation.
He has also been charged with possession and with possession for sale or supply of the crystal meth at Ballyseedy Garden Centre in Tralee.
Nathan McDonnell, a 44-year-old father-of-three described in February as Chief Executive of Ballyseedy Garden Centre, had previously been charged with possession of the drugs for sale or supply.
Also this morning Mr McDonnell was brought before the district court in Tralee where further charges were brought against him.
Detective Sergeant Tommy Griffin told the court he made no reply when he charged him with participating in activities to facilitate the importation, sale and supply of drugs by a criminal organisation.
Mr McDonnell was also charged with importing the drugs at Cork Port last October and with possession and possession for sale or supply of the drugs at Ballyseedy Garden Centre.
Both men were remanded in custody for a week.
