Bail denied to men arrested as part of Lithuanian crime gang investigation

Olivia Kelleher

Bail has been denied to two men who were arrested as part of an investigation into the operation of a Lithuanian organised crime gang in Cork city.

Aleksandras Kuznecovas (38) and Jonas Pavilionis (46), both of no fixed abode, appeared before a sitting of Cork District Court on Friday afternoon. Both men required Lithuanian translators in court.

Dt Garda Linda O’Keeffe told Judge Mary Dorgan that Mr Kuznecovas sold €25 worth of diamorphine (heroin) to undercover gardaí in Cork city on three separate occasions in January of this year.

The sales of bags of drugs allegedly occurred at Western Road, the banks of the Lee Walkway and on Mardyke Bridge. The bags were sent to Forensic Science Ireland for analysis and were identified as heroin.

Det Garda O’Keeffe described Mr Kuznecovas as being a 'vital cog’ in an organised crime gang in the city. She expressed the belief that he represents a “danger to the community and the people living in it.”

Det Garda O'Keeffe said Kuznecovas replied "I am sorry" after he was charged with three counts of dealing heroin. She objected to bail arising out of the nature of the evidence before the court. Det Garda O’Keeffe added that the accused would commit further offences if bail was granted in the case.

Meanwhile, Dt Garda Ruairi McGovern said Mr Jonas Pavilionis was observed placing a bag with two bill-hooks behind an electrical box at Audley Place in Cork city on March 23rd last.

Det Garda McGovern said that the accused, who has been in the jurisdiction for two months, was subsquently arrested in the car park of Douglas Village Shopping Centre on the southside of Cork city two days later. He said that suspected heroin with a street value of €3,920 was recovered from the car of the accused.

Mr Pavilionis was charged with having heroin for sale and supply and with having a machete when he was arrested last Tuesday (March 25th) in the shopping centre. He was also charged that he had two bill hooks on March 23rd in Audley place.

Dt Garda McGovern said that Pavilonis was allegedly an integral part of a crime gang from Lithuania and was brought here “purely for the purpose of protection.”

Judge Dorgan declined to grant bail in the case and remanded the two men in custody to appear before the court on April 3rd next.