20-year-old charged with drugs and money laundering offences
BY RONAN JUDGE
A 20-year-old man alleged to have been in possession of dozens of bags of cocaine and ketamine in Galway City will have his case heard in the District Court.
Nick Ukaga, with an address at 55 St Laurence's Field, Loughrea, appeared at Galway District Court charged with drugs and money laundering offences.
Garda Christina Galvin gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution and told the court Ukaga made no reply to any of the five new charges, after caution.
The Director of Public Prosecutions had directed summary disposal of the case in the District Court and there was no objection to bail, subject to the accused abiding by certain conditions.
All charges relate to alleged offences at St Nicholas’ Street, Claddagh, on June 6, 2025.
Sergeant Claire Heneghan told the court it would be alleged Ukaga was found in possession of 19 bags of ketamine valued at €1,062, 22 bags of cocaine valued at €1,323, and €1,080 in cash, alleged to be the proceeds of criminal conduct.
Judge Adrian Harris accepted jurisdiction to hear the case in the District Court and assigned legal aid to solicitor, Brian Gilmartin.
Nick Ukaga was remanded on bail to appear again on May 18.
He is charged with possession of ketamine and cocaine contrary to section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.
He also faces two charges of possession of ketamine and possession of cocaine for sale or supply, contrary to section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.
He is further charged with engaging in converting/transferring/ handling / acquiring / possessing / using property — €1,080 — knowing that or believing that or being reckless as to whether or not it was the proceeds of criminal conduct.
That offence is contrary to section 7 of the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Act.
■ Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.