A MAN appeared before Monaghan District Court yesterday (October 1) charged with cultivating cannabis plants in the Castleblayney area.
Wang Wen (21) is charged with cultivating cannabis plants without a licence at Readuff, Loughmourne, Castleblayney on September 30 past, contrary to Section 17 and Section 27 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.
The court heard that Gardai were still trying to establish the identity of the defendant. Inspector Martin said they had been in contact with police in the UK, as it was believed Wen came from England.
Solicitor Gerard Jones, defending, said Wen had no passport and no identification. He said there was nothing to satisfy Gardai as to who he was and said the defendant had admitted giving an incorrect name to Gardai. He added that his client was not making an application for bail and said the defendant was “simply cultivating these plants for a syndicate.”
Judge Sean MacBride said the charge was a very serious matter. He granted the defendant legal aid and assigned Mr Gerard Jones Solicitors. The Judge also certified for a Chinese interpreter and approved medication for a stomach ulcer for the defendant.
The Judge remanded Wen in custody to Cloverhill Prison to appear before Cloverhill District Court next Wednesday, October 8 at 10.30am for further directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Wen’s arrest followed the seizure of cannabis plants worth an estimated €240,000.
Gardaí from the Cavan/Monaghan Drugs Unit assisted by gardai from Shantonagh searched a house in Readuff near Castleblayney early on Tuesday morning last as part of ‘Operation Nitrogen’. Inside, they discovered around 700 cannabis plants at various stages of development.