Man Charged Over €2.1m Cannabis Seizure at Port of Cork

A man in his 50s has been charged following the seizure of cannabis worth €2.1 million at the Port of Cork last week, marking one of the largest drug hauls in the region this year.

The man appeared before a special sitting of Cork District Court today, Saturday 2nd August 2025, following his arrest in connection with the discovery of approximately 107kg of herbal cannabis on 27th July. The drugs were found concealed in 93 packages inside a truck that had arrived from Belgium.

The seizure was the result of a joint operation between the Cork Divisional Drugs Unit and Revenue's Customs Service, highlighting the continued cooperation between agencies in combating drug trafficking through Ireland's second busiest port.

The arrested man had been detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996 at a Garda station in the Southern Region before being charged and brought before the court.

With an estimated street value of €2.1 million, subject to analysis, the haul represents a significant blow to drug trafficking operations attempting to use Cork as an entry point for illegal substances into Ireland.

The Port of Cork, which handles millions of tonnes of cargo annually, remains a key focus for law enforcement agencies monitoring for illegal drug shipments from continental Europe.

Gardaí have confirmed that investigations into the seizure are ongoing, suggesting that further arrests or charges may follow as detectives work to uncover the full extent of the smuggling operation.

The special sitting of Cork District Court on a Saturday underscores the seriousness with which authorities are treating this substantial drug seizure.