Man charged following €5m cocaine drugs seizure

53-YEAR-OLD REMANDED IN CUSTODY FOR A WEEK

A 53-YEAR-OLD man was remanded in custody at Monaghan District Court this morning, Monday, on drugs possession charges relating to the seizure of cocaine estimated to be worth €5.25m.

Arunas Racyla, with an address at Highfield, Carrickmacross, is charged with possession of cocaine contrary Section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1977 and also with possession of the substance for sale or supply, contrary to Section 15 of the same Act, at Ballyloughan, Carrickmacross on Friday last, March 13, 2026.

Detective Garda Kate Mulligan of the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution at Carrickmacross Garda Station yesterday, Sunday.

It was confirmed by Damien Rudden, solicitor, that his client was making no application for bail at this hearing.

Mr Racyla, who is of Lithuanian nationality, was remanded by Judge Raymond Finnegan to appear again at Monaghan District Court by video link on March 23 for DPP directions.

Gardaí had reported at the weekend that cocaine with an estimated value of €5.25m was seized following a number of searches on vehicles and a business premises in County Monaghan on Friday.

A woman in her 40s had been arrested and subsequently released without charge.