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Drug debtor avoids jail for holding cannabis

Summary

Martin Sands, aged 29, was found guilty of possession of cannabis for sale or supply at his Dublin City address on 11 October 2019. He had no prior drug convictions. Sands had accrued a drug debt from his own cocaine use and agreed to hold about €11,000 worth of cannabis for another person, a role described by the judge as a "very important function for the drug trade generally" but not for his own financial gain. The judge noted his responsibilities as a carer for his father and brother, his stable employment, partner and two children, and his efforts to address risk factors. Judge Melanie Greally sentenced him to three years' imprisonment, fully suspended on strict conditions, and imposed no custodial term. The sentence was passed in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Drug debtor avoids jail for holding cannabis. Charges or matters: possession of cannabis for sale or supply at that address on October 11, 2019. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• October 11, 2019 Incident
• 2021-12-02 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence

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Read the original CNI report