Courts / Dublin / Report
Garda investigation led to break-up of €3.5m drugs and firearms operation
Summary
A Garda investigation led to the break-up of a €3.5 million drugs and firearms operation, resulting in the sentencing of four individuals at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Jason Hughes (35) was jailed for six years after pleading guilty to possession of €757,280 worth of cannabis resin and €603,000 worth of MDMA on April 17, 2014. Ivan Tihon (35), a Moldovan national, was jailed for eight years for possession of €1.6 million worth of drugs, as well as guns and ammunition. Two Polish brothers, Slawomir Syzmala (40) and Marcin Syzmala (32), were each jailed for 10 years in March 2015 after admitting to possession of €3.5 million worth of cannabis and cannabis resin. The operation was uncovered following a surveillance operation by the Garda National Drugs Unit, during which €3.489 million worth of drugs were seized. Hughes, who had no previous convictions, claimed he was unaware of the drugs in the van he was transporting and stated he was acting on behalf of others. Judge Martin Nolan noted Hughes' role in the operation was to transport the drugs for some form of reward and stated he was part of a large drug dealing operation.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Garda investigation led to break-up of €3.5m drugs and firearms operation. Charges or matters: possession of €757,280 worth of cannabis resin; possession of €603,000 worth of MDMA; possession of €1.6 million worth of drugs; possession of guns and ammunition; possession of €3.5 million worth of cannabis and cannabis resin. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- March 2015 Incident
- April 17, 2014 Incident
- 2018-03-06 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: possession of €1.6 million worth of drugs; possession of guns and ammunition (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: A Moldovan national, Ivan Tihon (35) was jailed for eight years that same month for possession of €1.6 million worth of drugs, guns and ammunition.
Convicted Person
Charges: possession of €757,280 worth of cannabis resin; possession of €603,000 worth of MDMA (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Jason Hughes (35) is one of four men who have been jailed by Judge Martin Nolan at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for their various roles in this drug dealing operation. Judge Nolan said before he jailed Hughes for six years.
Convicted Person
Charges: possession of €3.5 million worth of cannabis and cannabis resin (Alleged Or Contested)
Outcome: Two Polish brothers, Slawomir (40) and Marcin (32) Syzmala were each jailed for 10 years in March 2015 after they admitted being in possession of €3.5 million worth of cannabis and cannabis resin.
Convicted Person
Charges: possession of €3.5 million worth of cannabis and cannabis resin (Alleged Or Contested)
Outcome: Two Polish brothers, Slawomir (40) and Marcin (32) Syzmala were each jailed for 10 years in March 2015 after they admitted being in possession of €3.5 million worth of cannabis and cannabis resin.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Castlefield Park
- Dublin
- Park Avenue
- Finglas Business Park
- Dublin's Prussia Street
Topics
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