KUALA LUMPUR – A Malaysian man has been charged in Ireland in connection with a recent cannabis seizure worth €580,000 (RM3 million) at Dublin Airport.
According to the Irish Times, 39-year-old Adrian Mah Yew Beng, who does not have a registered address in Ireland, was taken into custody upon the arrival of a flight on Wednesday morning.
Revenue officers conducted a baggage search upon his arrival at the airport, which led to his arrest.
Initially held at the Ballymun Garda Station, Mah was subsequently charged with the unlawful importation of cannabis and possession of drugs for sale or supply, as per Ireland’s Misuse of Drugs Act.
Appearing at Dublin District Court on Thursday evening, Mah responded to the drug importation allegation, saying, “I have answered every question you have asked.”
However, he did not offer a response to the charge.
Enforcement officer Peter Elliot told the court that the estimated value of the seized drugs is €580,000 and opposed bail for Mah.
Although an interpreter was provided for the accused during the hearing, Mah did not address the court and did not enter a plea.
Defence solicitor Eoin Lysaght said that his client was not seeking bail at this stage. Judge Shalom Binchy remanded Mah in custody and scheduled his next appearance in Cloverhill District Court for next week.
Mah was also granted legal aid due to a lack of financial means. The court is awaiting directives from the public prosecutions director. – March 1, 2024