Refused bail on charges related to €150k drug seizure

A 48-YEAR-OLD MAN charged with having illegal drugs worth over €170,000 in his possession following a Garda operation in Cavan was refused bail when he appeared at Monaghan District Court

Aleksej Sergejev, with an address at St Clare’s Court, Cavan town is charged with two counts of having cannabis for sale or supply at that address on February 3, 2026, along with one count of having cocaine for sale or supply at the same location.

Sergejev, who is of Lithuanian nationality, also faces charges of having both substances in his possession for personal use.

Detective Garda Shane Kenny told Judge Raymond Finnegan at Monaghan District Court that there were objections to bail on the basis of a belief that the defendant was a flight risk and would not appear at court if released from custody.

The garda said Mr Sergejev had been caught red handed with €2,460 of cannabis when his car was stopped at Cathedral Road, Cavan, and that €112,000 worth of cannabis, weighing about five and a half kilos, was subsequently found at this Clare’s Court address. Cocaine valued at €56,000 (about 800g) was also located at the apartment, together with €11,850 in cash.

Det Gda Kenny said the defendant had admitted possessing all the substances found in both locations, and was facing charges that could result in a prison sentence of up to 14 years. He had no ties to Ireland and had only been in this country for 10 months. The garda confirmed to Inspector Declan McGarvey that he did not believe defendant would answer any bail and was a flight risk.

The witness agreed with Niall Fox, solicitor for Mr Sergejev, that his client’s phone had been confiscated along with the cash and drugs found. The only documentation he had was a Lithuanian identity card and UK driving licence, which were also seized.

When Mr Fox asked if it was accepted that the defendant’s ability to travel would be therefore be seriously curtailed, Judge Finnegan intervened to say, “He only has to cross the Border — we all know that.”

Mr Fox had also asked if it were not the case that his client worked for a joinery factory in Longford, but the garda said he could not say whether the defendant was currently working. He wasn’t working when his car was stopped at around midday on Tuesday.

When it was confirmed by Det Gda Kenny that no bail terms would be acceptable to the prosecution at this point, Judge Finnegan said he believed the defendant to be a significant flight risk and was therefore remanding him in custody to appear by video link at Cavan District Court tomorrow, Thursday February 5 for DPP directions.