Courts / Dublin / Report

Brazilian man stashed €80k in cocaine in underpants

Summary

Ricardo Da Silva, a 28‑year‑old Brazilian from Teresina Piazia, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for possession of cocaine for sale or supply. He was caught with over €80,000 worth of cocaine, which he had hidden in his underwear after being lured into a non‑existent job offer that created a debt. Da Silva was instructed to ingest the drugs but instead taped 120 pellets to his underwear. He pleaded guilty on 20 September 2020 at Terminal 1, Dublin Airport. The court noted he had no prior convictions and that he was a "desperate man" who believed carrying drugs was his only way to clear the debt. Judge Martin Nolan imposed the sentence without a suspended portion, citing Da Silva's good behaviour in custody and low likelihood of reoffending. The case also involved co‑accused Raynessa De Sousa, who received a two‑year sentence for a similar offence.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Brazilian man stashed €80k in cocaine in underpants. Charges or matters: possession of cocaine for sale or supply at Terminal 1, Dublin Airport, on September 20, 2020. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• September 20, 2020 Incident
• February 2021 Incident
• 2021-03-12 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence

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Read the original CNI report