Toni Alanasor (57) of Apartment 38, B1101 Lulin 10, Sofia, Bulgaria, was brought before a sitting of Wexford District Court on Thursday morning and charged with possession of drugs and possession of drugs for the purposes of sale and supply.
Detective Garda Stephen Gillespie gave evidence of arrest and confirmed there were bail objections in relation to the seriousness of the charge. The evidence to support the charge was that a joint operation conducted by The Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) and Revenue’s Customs Service had put an operation in place following the receipt of confidential information relating to the activities of a Bulgarian organised crime group involving the import of drugs.
The truck involved was flagged travelling on the Victoria Seaways from Dunkirk to Rosslare and had cocaine concealed in the fuel tank of the vehicle. During the search of the vehicle a sophisticated concealment with lead lining was discovered.
Alanasor was then arrested and detained at Wexford Garda Station. The defendant was interviewed a total of seven times during his detainment with access to his solicitor. During interview he outlined he had been a truck driver for 15 or 16 years and this was his third visit to Ireland. The accused travelled through the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, and France before arriving at Rosslare Europort.
The accused confirmed in interview that he is aware of an issue with the capacity of the fuel tank, which is where the drugs were stored. However, he denied knowing that the drugs were present.
The drugs were hidden in a lead-lined concealment within the fuel tank of the vehicle
Today’s News in 90 Seconds – Thursday, October 16
In a subsequent interview, Alanasor stated he was offered employment by an unknown male only known to him as “the boss”. This man was said to have offered €4,000 on top of his normal wage of €3,000 to work for a month.
Detective Garda Gillespie told the court that an examination of the accused’s phone revealed a photograph of a lead-lined concealment similar to the one found in the truck. When informed of this Alanasor denied taking the photo and stated someone else was using his phone.
An Garda Síochaná objected to bail on the grounds that the accused is a flight risk.
Gardaí confirmed that the maximum sentence for possession for the purposes of sale and supply is life imprisonment and also stated further charges will be sought from Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Gardaí believed that the likelihood of Alanasor committing further offences is high as he was said to be “a highly trusted individual in a trans-national organised crime group in his role of transport logistics”.
Ross Patt O’Brien BL, instructed by Éadaoin Lawlor solicitor, informed the court that Alanasor is 57 years of age, with no previous convictions in this jurisdiction. He came into the country using a passport which has been seized, reducing the risk of flight risk since Gardaí are in possession of the defendant’s documents.
Judge John Cheatle refused bail citing the accused’s lack of ties to jurisdiction and the seriousness of the offence he is alleged to have committed. The Judge remarked that the circumstances of the arrest lead him to conclude he would be a flight risk and would commit further offences if granted bail.
The matter has been adjourned to October 21 with the accused to appear by way of video link for DPP directions. Legal aid was assigned to Ms Lawlor with a Bulgarian interpreter certified for the consultations and court appearances.
Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme