An Irish woman arrested over a massive drug seizure in Norway said she was “only going to stop over in Oslo on her way to Ireland,” we can exclusively reveal.
The 32-year-old woman, from Drogheda in Co Louth, was arrested by Norwegian police at Oslo’s Gardermoen Airport on Thursday, January 9, on suspicion of smuggling 41.7kg worth of cannabis valued at €834,000.
She was arrested after arriving on a flight from Bangkok in Thailand after she was stopped by Customs Officers after an X-Ray examination of the suitcases showed irregularities.
She is alleged to have told authorities that the suitcases were given to her by someone in Thailand and she was unaware of the contents.
Last Friday, the woman had her court hearing where the court granted the prosecution’s request for continued imprisonment for up to four additional weeks.
In the most recent court document, seen by this paper, it stated: “the court finds that the accused can still be reasonably suspected of a criminal offence which may result in a higher penalty than imprisonment for six months.
“The court also refers to the fact that the accused has admitted guilt during interrogation.”
The court also agreed with a previous court order that the accused is a “flight risk” as she has no known connection to Norway.
The most recent court document states: “She is an Irish citizen and has explained that she was only going to stop over in Norway on her way to Ireland.
“In light of the fact that she risks a not insignificant prison sentence, the court believes that there are clear indications that the accused will evade both prosecution and execution of the sentence if she is released.”
The documents also state the accused, who was not present in court, was remanded in custody for a further four weeks.
Earlier we revealed the drugs were destined for Drogheda dealing a severe blow to two on the run brothers who head the gang who are at war with associates of paralysed mob boss Owen Maguire - who was shot a number of times by slain serial killer Robbie Lawlor in July 2018.
The brothers cannot be named as they are charged with serious offences. Warrants have been issued for their arrests.
A source told us: “There has been a serious crackdown on this gang as the same gang has had a number of people before the courts in recent weeks on money laundering charges and drugs charges.
“The two brothers who head the gang and are on the run overseas have still been operating in the town with their drug dealing through their associates and this latest seizure will really be a big blow to their pockets.”
During the height of the feud between the two criminal gangs, which escalated in July 2018 after mob boss Owen Maguire was shot several times and left paralysed, there were four murders and more than 100 serious criminal incidents involving petrol bombs, serious assaults, and a kidnapping.
The feud also claimed the life of teenager Keane Mulready-Woods, who was murdered and dismembered in a house in Rathmullen Park in January 2020.
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