Courts / Dublin / Report
Garda posed as delivery man during €80k cannabis sting
Summary
Nicolae Vlad, a 28-year-old Romanian national, appeared at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on appeal regarding his conviction for possession of cannabis for sale or supply. The offence occurred on September 13, 2018, at Beacon South Quarter, Sandyford, following a controlled delivery operation where gardaí intercepted a package from Spain containing €80,000 in cannabis. Vlad was observed acting suspiciously near the delivery address and was arrested after signing for the parcel. He admitted to being paid €2,000 to collect the package, though he claimed ignorance of its contents. Vlad pleaded guilty to the charge. Judge Melanie Greally imposed a five-year custodial sentence. The final year of the sentence was suspended on the condition that Vlad leave the jurisdiction within seven days of his release and not return for ten years. Defence counsel James Dwyer SC highlighted Vlad's custody since September and his lack of income at the time of the offence. The court noted Vlad's history of eleven previous convictions, primarily for road traffic offences. This report reflects the sentencing outcome following the guilty plea, with the specific conditions of the suspended portion clearly defined by the judge.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Garda posed as delivery man during €80k cannabis sting. Charges or matters: possession of cannabis for sale or supply at Beacon South Quarter, Sandyford on September 13, 2018. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- September 13, 2018 Incident
- 2019-06-20 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: possession of cannabis for sale or supply at Beacon South Quarter, Sandyford on September 13, 2018 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Melanie Greally imposed a five-year sentence and suspended the final year on condition that Vlad leave the jurisdiction within seven days of release and not return for ten years.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
Topics
Drugs Road Traffic Stage Appeal
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