Courts / Dublin / Report

Mule busted after travelling same route used in 36 prior drugs cases

Summary

A 26‑year‑old Brazilian named Dogulas Fernades Ferreira was jailed for three years after swallowing more than 60 pellets of cocaine to smuggle the drug into Ireland. Customs officers at Dublin Airport had flagged his travel route – from São Paulo to Dubai to Dublin – as the same used in 36 previous importation cases. Ferreira was flown on the same itinerary and was on the authorities' radar before arrival. He initially claimed to be studying gastronomy and visiting restaurants, later saying he had come to work as a male prostitute. When traces of cocaine were found on his clothing, he admitted swallowing 50 pellets. He was taken to hospital, monitored for two days, and passed around 60 pellets. The drugs weighed about 500 g, worth an estimated €41,000. He pleaded guilty to possession of drugs for sale or supply on 2 July.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Mule busted after travelling same route used in 36 prior drugs cases. Charges or matters: possession of drugs for sale or supply on July 2 last. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• July 2 Incident
• 2019-12-13 Publication

Why: Counsel said that customs officers had Ferreira on their radar even before he arrived because of the travel arrangements. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence

Related court reports

• Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
• Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
• Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
• 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
• Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
• 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'

Read the original CNI report