Courts / Dublin / Report
Jail for Bolivian man who swallowed 39 condoms filled with liquid cocaine
Summary
Parada Hermen Arteaga, a 65‑year‑old Bolivian national, was sentenced to four years' imprisonment for importing 1.28 kg of liquid cocaine into Ireland. He had swallowed 39 condoms filled with the drug, claiming he did so to earn money for his family after meeting a contact on the street. Arteaga was stopped by customs at Dublin Airport on 26 March 2014, admitted swallowing the condoms, and was taken to Beaumont Hospital for safety concerns. He pleaded guilty at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where Judge Martin Nolan noted Arteaga's desperation and low position in the drug‑transport network. The sentence was back‑dated to March 2014. Arteaga had no prior convictions in Ireland or Bolivia. The case was prosecuted by Gerardine Small BL, with defence counsel Caroline Biggs SC arguing that Arteaga acted to support his ailing mother and was fully cooperative.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Jail for Bolivian man who swallowed 39 condoms filled with liquid cocaine. Charges or matters: importation of cocaine at Dublin Airport on March 26, 2014. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- March 26, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 2014 Incident
- 2015-04-13 Publication
Why: Parada Hermen Arteaga (65) later told gardaí that he had met "a guy" on the street and agreed to transport the drugs in order to get cash to help out his family. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: importation of cocaine at Dublin Airport on March 26, 2014 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He sentenced him to four years in prison which he backdated to March 2014.
Places mentioned
Topics
Airport Incidents 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'
Help us improve this report
Your request is saved for the newsroom's next review. It does not immediately change the published report.
Prefer email? Send a correction request.