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.[1] Each brother faces two charges in connection with the seizure.[1] The two defendants were released on bail in July under conditions requiring independent sureties of €50,000 and €40,000 respectively, with an order that half must be lodged in cash.[1] The judge remanded both men on continuing bail and adjourned the case until February 2, 2027 for direction.[1] Direction had not yet been received from the Director of Public Prosecutions.[1]

The seizure was described as controlled drugs worth an estimated €2 million with north of 100,000 vapes seized.[1] Gardaí said there are north of 100,000 vapes seized in the investigation and 40 different types of vapes and cannabis products or products believed to contain cannabis.[1] 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.[1] According to Gardaí, the products seized included edibles, vapes, and pre-rolled cannabis joints.[1] The investigating officer called the products all vapes and cannabis products in a case that had not been dealt with before.[1]

The seizure came from a joint search operation between Gardaí and Revenue which targeted Candy Cloud vape shops situated in Longford, Mayo, Louth, and Carlow.[1] A warehouse in Longford’s Townspark Industrial Estate was also searched under warrant, as were two residential properties in Mayo and Louth.[1] The searches were conducted on July 2 and July 8 last.[1] Forensic Science Ireland has had difficulty testing the vapes due to safety issues with regard to the lithium batteries within the vapes.[1] The defence said its instruction was that some of those vapes are legal products.[1] Defence counsel cited the new Single Use Vapes Act grace period between July 24th and January 2027.[1]