Michal Luczak is facing four separate charges.
A man alleged to have been the pilot of an aircraft used to fly just over €8m worth of cocaine into the midlands three years ago has gone on trial.
Michal Luczak, 44, faces four charges for unlawful possession of cocaine, possessing it for the purpose of sale or supply, and the possession and importation of drugs worth €13,000 or more at Abbeyshrule Aerodrome, Co. Longford, on August 4, 2022.
Mr Luczak, formerly of Primrose Avenue, Jigginstown, Naas, Co. Kildare, replied “not guilty” to each charge when he was arraigned at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court yesterday.
A jury was sworn in for the trial, which Judge Roderick Maguire said was expected to last up to four weeks.
Prosecutor Cathal Ó Braonáin BL told the panel that the trial would hear evidence from up to 50 witnesses.
They included gardaí from the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, the national surveillance unit, a scenes of crime unit and mapping section, as well as Garda HQ, along with civilians and personnel from Forensic Science Ireland and the Irish Aviation Authority.
Mr Ó Braonáin said that the trial related to an incident on August 4, 2022, when it was alleged that 120 kilogrammes of cocaine with a value in excess of €8 million was imported at the aerodrome.
Counsel said Mr Luczak, who now resides at an apartment at The Davitt, Dublin, was allegedly the pilot of a small aircraft in that importation.
The charges are contrary to sections 3, 15, 15A, and 15B of the Misuse of Drugs Act.
Judge Maguire instructed the four women and men of the jury to select a foreperson; the trial will open with the prosecution’s case tomorrow morning.
The judge also gave the jurors the standard warning about not using social media on the case or any of the witnesses, or reading news media coverage, or discussing the proceedings with others.
BnM Opens New Funding Round For Offaly Community Benefit Fund
Orange Wind Alerts Issued As Storm Bram Approaches
Irish Hauliers Threaten Protests Over Toll Discount Dispute
Former Irish Soccer Legend Backs Offaly Community After Arson Attack
Tributes Paid To Former Fine Gael Midlands Politician
Midlands 103 Launches Joint Christmas Appeal With Simon Community
Offaly Arson Attack Is An Attack On Society Itself - Taoiseach
Woman Facing Life In Prison After Double Midlands Murder
Housing Committee Chair Flags Cost Concerns Over Apartment Fire Safety Scheme
Justice Minister Wants People To Come Forward Over Offaly Arson Attack
New Report Warns Of “Poor Liquidity” As Ireland’s Housing Market Stalls
Laois TD Renews Calls For Updated Wind Farm Guidelines
Midlands Man Laid To Rest Today
Anti-Racism Funding Granted For Offaly And Westmeath Groups
Gardaí Begin Murder Investigation After Child And Woman Dies In Offaly House Fire
Ashling Murphy Murder "Wrongly Accused" Granted Bail Over Theft Charge
Young Boy And Woman Killed In Offaly House Fire
Laois Makeup Artist Warns Of Expired Suncream Dangers
Lynx and Wolves In Ireland Pose Minimal Threat - Offaly Biodiversity
€4.5m Going To Midlands Suckler Farmers