Sweden requests extradition of three men arrested at Waterford Airport over EUR 3.5 million in cocaine transports
Swedish authorities request the extradition of three men who were arrested after getting off a plane at Waterford Airport last week.
The trio were arrested last Wednesday, February 23, after arriving on a Belgian flight via the United Kingdom.
After the plane stopped at an airport in the UK, officials from the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) say that they intercepted a vehicle nearby where 50 kg of cocaine worth about 3.5 million euros was revealed and seized.
A man was arrested and charged in connection with the seizure.
The plane then landed in Ireland at 11 o’clock on Wednesday. Upon arrival, it was met and searched by Waterford Gardaí, Revenue and Customs staff and a customs dog.
A number of mobile phones and 9,000 euros in cash were seized from the aircraft.
Three men on board the plane were arrested for alleged crimes under the 72 Criminal Justice Act 2006 and detained under section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007 at Garda Stations in the southeastern part of the country.
The aircraft was also seized and seized by Gardaí.
After further inquiries and contacts with the British NCA, Interpol and Swedish police, the identity of a Lithuanian man in his 30s and two Swedish men in their 50s was confirmed by gardaí.
On Sunday 23 February, the trio was released before they were arrested on foot by European arrest warrants by Swedish authorities.
They appeared before a High Court hearing at the Criminal Court of Justice in Dublin on Monday 28 February.
The men have been arrested and will appear before Hugh Court again on Friday 11 March.