Longford €2M raid: 100,000 seized Candy Cloud vapes are being tested for illegality

Two brothers charged in connection with a seizure of controlled drugs worth an estimated €2 million and 'north of 100,000 vapes seized' have been remanded in custody with confirmation expected early next year on how many were illegal.

Qasim and Ahsan Rasool of 4 Cloverwell, Edgeworthstown, county Longford, who are dual Irish-Pakistani citizens, appeared for a preliminary hearing at Longford District Court recently.

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 July 8 last.

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.

Detective Sergeant Michael Harkin of the Drug and Organised Crime Bureau informed Judge Bernadette Owens that direction had not yet been received from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

"It's an unusual matter, the products in question regarding this matter are all vapes and cannabis products. It's a case that has not been dealt with before," he added.

Det Sgt Harkin said Forensic Science Ireland have had difficulty testing the 'vapes due to the safety issues with regard to the lithium batteries that are within the vapes'.

The investigating officer stated FSI are currently putting protocols in place in order to safely test the vape products.

"There are north of 100,000 vapes seized in this investigation and there is 40 different types of vapes and cannabis products or products that we believe contain cannabis.

"They are currently liaising with ourselves in order to put this process in place.

"It's an ongoing [process] since July trying to get a safe method to dismantle and examine the liquid that is contained in these vapes," he explained.

Det Sgt Harkin said Gardaí were seeking a six month remand to give FSI sufficient time to safely test the products.

"Our investigation has progressed well apart from issues with FSI and FSI's problem with the vapes."

Defence barrister Paul Meagher, who questioned Det Sgt Harkin asked him in relation to progressing the investigation well could he inform the court where they were in relation to ancillary or secondary matters apart from the drugs.

"Is it just the drugs that we are focusing on?

Det Sgt Harkin replied, "This investigation and this part of the charges is purely in relation to the alleged drugs seized in the searches in July."

Mr Meagher said it was appreciated there is more than 100,000 vapes and 40 different types, however, he stated his instruction was some of those vapes are legal products.

However, Det Sgt Harkin replied, "We believe all of the products seized contained illegal substances and that is why we are waiting on FSI to give their opinion and to give evidence in regard to whether the products are all legal or illegal.

"We are of the opinion that all of the products seized on that date are illegal."

Mr Meagher asked Det Sgt Harkin if he could 'assist the court' by making available an exhibits list of up to 40 vapes.

"If you could have an inventory and maybe a photographs because there are a number of matters outstanding.

"My instructions are that some of those vapes are actually legal at the moment."

Det Sgt Harkin informed the court he had no issue compiling a breakdown of all the products seized during the searches.

Mr Meagher addressed Judge Owens and said he wanted to inform the court of a legislative development.

"The new Single Use Vapes Act has given a grace period between July 24th and January 2027.

"Should those products be legal an opportunity has presented itself that those products could be moved legitimately in the businesses."

Det Sgt Harkin said as far as Gardaí are concerned all of the products they seized in July were all containing illegal products.

"If the products don't contain illegal substances there is no issue returning them and we will return them as quickly as we can," he added.

Mr Meagher addressed Judge Owens and said he felt the application to remand his clients in custody for six months was a little bit excessive.

"I do appreciate the protocols and safety elements."

Judge Owens agreed and she said she believed the six month period was a bit longer than she deemed necessary.

"I would like to keep the court oversight of it to see what exactly is happening.

"I wouldn't like to arrive back in six months and Det Sgt Harkin are saying exactly the same thing to me so I am going to suggest that we put it back until the end of February and we would look at it then."

Mr Meagher requested if the case could be put in for mention on December 17 so the defence could receive an exhibits list and expediate matters.

"That might advance some of the arguments that the defence have in relation to the products legality with the defendants excused if that is amenable to the court."

Judge Owens said Det Sgt Harkin had already given a commitment that a full breakdown of the products will be furnished to the court.

She remanded Qasim and Ahsan Rasool (38) on continuing bail under the same conditions and she adjourned the case until February 2, 2027 for direction.

The two defendant Qasim (31) and Ahsan were released on bail in July and under the bail conditions there was a direction that large independent sureties of €50,000 and €40,000 respectively, with an order that half must be lodged in cash.

Qasim was required to surrender his passport.

Ahsan was initially directed to surrender his passport, the terms were varied at a later stage by the court and he was given permission to temporarily travel out of Ireland to attend a family wedding in the UK and Pakistan.

Ahsan was also given the go-ahead to travel to trade show in Dubai, under strict conditions that he surrender his passport immediately after his return and provide proof of travel.