Four accused over large-scale drug importation transferred to non-jury court

Four men have been sent forward for trial before the Special Criminal Court on charges relating to a large-scale drug importation conspiracy. The accused are Kiumaars Ghabiri and Ali Ghasemi, both from the Netherlands; Mario Angel Del Rio Sans, originally from Spain; and Sean Curran of Clones, County Monaghan. They are charged with conspiring to import controlled drugs valued in excess of €13,000 between late February and mid-March 2024, contrary to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977. Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo ordered the matter be tried before the three-judge, non-jury court following an application by the Director of Public Prosecutions. The transfer means the case will proceed without a jury panel.