€2M Longford seizure: Candy Cloud brothers in court on charges

Two brothers - Qasim and Ahsan Rasool of 4 Cloverwell, Edgeworthstown, Longford - have appeared before a special sitting of Longford District Court charged in connection with a seizure of controlled drugs worth an estimated €2 million.

The seizure was made as part of a joint search operation between Gardaí and Revenue which targeted Candy Cloud vape shops situated in Longford, Mayo, Louth, and Carlow.

A warehouse in Longford’s Townspark Industrial Estate was also searched under warrant, as were two residential properties - namely in Mayo and Louth.

The searches were conducted on July 2 and 8.

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During the search, Gardaí seized what was described in court as “massive, massive quantities” of products containing HHC and THC, two cannabinoids regulated under the Misuse of Drugs Act. According to Gardaí, products seized included edibles, vapes, and pre-rolled cannabis joints.

The brothers, who were confirmed in court as “Irish-Pakistani with dual citizenship”, appeared before Judge Michael Connellan, each charged with ‘Possession of Drugs for the Purpose of Sale or Supply’, and ‘Possession of a Controlled Drug.’

In objecting to their bail, Sergeant Edel Cadam and Garda David Gerrity cited a number of grounds, including the seriousness of the alleged offences, and the belief of investigating Gardaí that the defendants would “flee the jurisdiction if granted bail.”

The matter of a house purchased without a mortgage by Ahsan Rasool back in 2010 at the age of 22 while he was working in a petrol station was also brought up as a concern during the objections.

Appearing first before Judge Connellan was 31 year old Qasim Rasool.

Taking the stand, prosecuting sergeant Edel Cadam told the court how during each interview with Gardaí following his arrest, Qasim Rasool “made admissions with regard to the role of sourcing and the importation of controlled drugs into the jurisdiction.”

She said it was alleged by Gardaí that Qasim Rasool was the company director and the leaseholder of the premises they had searched.

In referencing the search of the Candy Cloud vape shop on Longford’s Main Street, Sgt Cadam explained how “investigating Gardaí discovered a number of cannabis products on display and available for purchase.”

She added that a subsequent property connected to the business was identified in the Townspark Industrial Estate and upon execution of a search warrant, it was here Gardai discovered what was described in court as a large quantity of different forms of cannabis products.

The Longford warehouse was described in court as “a central storage hub” for the Candy Cloud shops and where the Gardaí seized the majority of the products.

Sgt Cadam added that two cash-counting machines were also discovered during the course of the search as was €4,000 in cash.

Both Sgt Cadam, and later, Garda Gerrity - the prosecuting Garda for the case involving Ahsan Rasool - stated it was the belief of the Gardaí that “there are large amounts of cash which may have yet to be recovered.”

Barrister for both Qasim and Ahsan Rasool, David Nugent BL, told the court there was no basis for this allegation.

Refuting Sgt Cadam’s allegation that Qasim would flee the jurisdiction if granted bail, Mr Nugent stated that his client had considerable links to the Longford community. He said he had been living in Ireland 23 years, and also had children here including a 5 day old baby.

Mr Nugent said his client had told him he imported the items from trade shows around Europe. He then put it to Sgt Cadam that some of the items seized by Gardaí had been legal at one point, but that a change in legislation last July resulted in them becoming illegal.

Mr Nugent later told the court, “If items were found that were outlawed but were previously lawful, then that is something he (Quasim Rasool) will have to answer, but when the full investigation is completed and all facts are before the court.”

Before asking the court to grant bail to Quasim Rasool, Mr Nugent said his client was now aware as a result of his interviews with Gardaí “which items are not allowed to be sold” and that he “will commit to getting rid of anything and not buying anything in relation to that.”

When asked by the judge for a response, Sgt Cadam replied, “On his own admissions Judge, he was aware of the products that he was selling.”

Judge Connellan said he would grant bail on Qasim’s own bond of €5,000, €2,500 of which to be paid in cash; and an independent surety of €50,000, €25,000 of which to be lodged in cash.

A number of conditions were imposed including the surrender of his passport. When asked by his barrister where his passport was, Qasim replied that he “would have to check.”

Mr Nugent requested his client be given until Sunday to surrender the passport, to which Sgt Cadam - in referencing an earlier remark that Qasim Rasool had travelled to Longford Garda Station for questioning upon arriving home from a family wedding in the UK - “If he came from the airport, then I would have thought his passport would be on him?”

“Does he have it on him?” asked Judge Connellan.

“His property is at Longford Garda Station,” Mr Nugent replied.

“We don’t have it (the passport),” Sgt Cadam confirmed.

Judge Connellan gave Quasim Rasool 24 hours upon release to surrender the passport.

Qasim was remanded in custody with consent to bail to appear before Longford District Court next Tuesday July 14.

Next to appear before Judge Connellan was Ahsan Razool.

Taking the stand, Garda David Gerrity outlined the details of the initial search. He told the court, “Forensic Science Ireland have taken some preliminary samples, confirming the presence of cannabis in the products which were sold in the shop and online in the form of edibles and vapes and pre-rolled cannabis joints.”

He pointed out that Ahsan was “listed as the director of Greenbrothers Candy Cloud until April 2026 which now lists Qasim Rasool as director.”

Said Garda Gerrity, “It is the suspicion of the Gardaí that the brothers are operating these businesses together and that Ahsan Rasool is an active and constant contributor to this operation.”

Refuting these claims, Mr Nugent told the court that his client Ahsan was merely an employee of the company.

In continuing his reasons for objecting to bail, Garda Gerrity explained why the Gardaí believed the defendant to be a flight risk.

“According to his claims in interview, the family has a house in Pakistan which they use as a holiday home,” he said. “Ahsan Rasool is an Irish citizen, and has an Irish passport which was seized as part of the investigation. It is clear from the stamps on the passport that he has travelled to Pakistan on 5 separate occasions in the past 13 months. Ahsan Rasool has aunts and uncles in Pakistan and has the means to flee there to avoid a potential lengthy prison sentence.”

In addressing concerns that his client would abscond, Mr Nugent put it to Garda Gerrity that when Ahsan had arrived on the scene after Gardaí, he didn’t attempt to flee but instead walked towards them.

Garda Gerrity replied, “In interview, he stated that he thought the premises was being broken into. He did not initially know that Gardai were in searching the premises. He told us that he did not know we were there initially.”

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Garda Gerrity also told the court that the Gardaí were investigating whether the defendant held “a separate Pakistan passport.”

“He could hold a dual passport, it has to be established,” explained the Garda. “We’re talking about such a large quantity of drugs here that we need to take all necessary precautions that he won’t disappear.”

During the course of outlining his reasons for objecting to bail, Garda Gerrity stated that Ahsan was the owner of 4 Cloverwell Edgworthstown “which he purchased in 2010 at the age of 22 without a mortgage.”

Said Mr Nugent, “Without denigrating the great county of Longford, do you understand the prices of property at that time? They’re not Dublin prices” he said.

Garda Gerrity pointed out that “2010 was bottom of the market”, to which Mr Nugent interjected, “there was an opportunity to get value in the market at that point … because someone got value doesn’t mean they did anything nefarious, does it?”

Garda Gerrity told the court, “He worked in a petrol station and was able to gather - by the age 22 - €85,000 euro to pay for a property. For me, Judge, as an investigator, that would warrant investigation. There’s no mortgage on the property.”

Mr Nugent put it to Garda Gerrity that he had “nothing before the court charge-wise in relation to that.”

“You’re not alleging anything was illegal there?” he asked, to which Garda Gerrity replied, “That’s what has yet to be established.”

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Addressing the court, Mr Nugent said his client, Ahsan Rasool, had “supported his brother by acting as company secretary,” but was ultimately an employee. He asked the court to grant bail, explaining that his client had family here and strong links to the community.

Judge Connellan granted bail on Ahsan’s “own bond €4,000, €2,000 to be paid in cash. Independent surety in the sum of €40,000, of which €20,000 is to be lodged in cash.”

Ahsan Rasool was remanded in custody with consent to bail and will appear before Longford District Court next Tuesday.