Two men accused of being involved in a “substantial” grow house operation in Blackwatertown – which was discovered by police after being invited into the property by the accused – have both been refused bail.
Tomas Baranauskas, 54, and 43-year-old Tuomas Redas appeared before Newry Magistrates’ Court on Monday morning, each charged with cultivating cannabis, possession of a Class B controlled drug, and possession of a Class B controlled drug with intent to supply.
The two Lithuanian nationals have been denied bail to return to the same property on Main Street due to police concerns over flight risk and the potential commission of further offences.
A detective constable told the court that while the defendants have no relevant criminal record, “we believe they’re both complicit in the setup and running of a sophisticated, large-scale cannabis grow house.”
She noted that the “organisation, technique and structure that appears to have gone into the setup of this factory would highlight to police that there is particular knowledge and expertise in what these individuals are doing. It wouldn’t be unreasonable then to believe that, given the revenue such endeavours can create – and the skill they possess – further grow houses could be set up in an effort to recoup any losses.”
The officer referenced the defendants’ links to Lithuania, which would represent a significant flight risk, and noted that the only address provided was the alleged grow house in Blackwatertown.
She stated that the three-storey property had cannabis plants across the second and third floors, with each room containing approximately 40 plants.
The officer added: “Now, only two of those rooms had flowered plants, and the other ones were already set up with the irrigation system going to the pots.
“There was also a quantity of cannabis already bagged up in sealed vacuum-packed bags, and there were quantities of cash seized from the property as well.”
District Judge Eamon King queried how long each of the men had been in the jurisdiction, with Redas believed to have been in Northern Ireland for about a year. Baranauskas was said to have flown in on April 24.
Defence counsel for the pair explained that Baranauskas came on a “business trip to buy car parts and has a flight home in two weeks.”
He stated: “He knows Redas from Lithuania and went to visit him on a Saturday night to drink. I think that’s what brought the police’s attention to their house – they were listening to music, drinking loudly, and invited the police in when they came to the door.
“[Baranauskas] has no knowledge of this enterprise. He says he only went upstairs in the property once, which was to go to the toilet.”
The barrister stated that Baranauskas was the owner of the cash found in the property.
There was €5,000 found in a backpack and £1,000 sterling found in his pocket, which “he says he had brought over to buy car parts.”
The barrister, in applying for bail, stated that both men are facing a lengthy period on remand due to the expected nature of the investigation.
However, Judge King dismissed the application due to the risk of flight and further offending.
The case was re-listed for June 3 at Armagh Magistrates’ Court.
