Remanded in custody after Arva drugs discovery

A 44 year old man has been remanded in custody after the discovery of drugs, cigarettes and cash at a house in Arva last week.

Saulis Pakuckas, with an address of 26 Ard Cluain, Roslea Road, Clones, Co Monaghan was arrested after a road traffic incident in the Drumnawall area of the village last Tuesday, January 25.

It’s alleged a vehicle being driven by Mr Pakuckas was involved in a collision with another car. It’s alleged he then left the scene.

He was arrested a short time later by gardaí.

A follow up search of a premises in the Corhanagh area of Arva led to the discovery of €25,000 worth of suspected cannabis plants and cannabis herb, along with €42,500 in cash and £8,000 in sterling. Some 47,140 unmarked cigarettes were also discovered.

These illicit cigarettes are estimated to have resulted in a loss of €27,000 to the State.

Mr Pakuckas was questioned by Gardaí before being charged.

It’s also alleged he attempted to escape while being held in Garda custody at Cavan Garda Station.

He appeared before the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin at the weekend charged with possession of cannabis, possession of the illegal cigarettes, escape from custody, failing to report a road collision, failing to remain at the scene of a road collision and failing to stop at the scene of a road collision.

He was remanded in custody to appear before Cloverhill District Court on Thursday, February 3.