Two men have appeared in Limerick District Court charged in connection with the investigation into the seizure of an estimated 300kg of cocaine from a cargo ship which docked at Foynes Port last Tuesday.
35-year-old-Kamen Petkov, and 32-year-old Nikola Penchev, both Bulgarian nationals, were both charged with possession of a quantity of cocaine for sale and supply at Foynes Port on 19 December last, contrary to the Misuse of Drugs Act.
An interpreter was in court to assist the two men during the proceedings.
Both men were granted free legal aid when the court was told they had no means, and were unable to work.
The court heard they made no reply when the charges were put to them last night.
They were remanded in custody to appear by video link in court on 29 December.
The drugs were discovered on a large bulk carrier which docked in the port last Tuesday night.
The Maltese registered cargo ship The Verila, a large grain carrier, was searched by customs officers and gardaí as part of a joint operation.
The ship was subsequently impounded by customs officers under the Customs Act as a search of the vessel continued over three days.
Six men, including Mr Petkov and Mr Penchev, were arrested and detained on Friday under the Misuse of Drugs Act as part of the investigation.
The other four men have been released from custody and files are being prepared for the DPP.
The ship remains tied up at Foynes harbour and gardaí say their investigation is continuing.
