Courts / Dublin / Report

Cocaine worth €280k found in hidden car compartments

Date
2022-11-23
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Laimonas Baltrusis, aged 31, was sentenced to five years and three months in prison for unlawfully possessing €280,000 worth of cocaine and a semi‑automatic pistol. Gardaí discovered the drugs and firearm in hidden compartments of two cars, accessed by a button under the steering wheel when the engine ran and lights were on. Baltrusis admitted possession of cocaine at two addresses on 19 and 20 September 2020 and possession of the pistol on 20 September 2020. He cooperated with investigators, pointing to a kitchen shelf where 22 g of cocaine and €3,250 in cash were found. The court noted his prior minor convictions, his completion of a rehabilitation programme, and his apology to the court. Judge Martin Nolan emphasised that Baltrusis had created the problems for himself by becoming involved in the drug trade. Laimonas Baltrusis pleaded guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Cocaine worth €280k found in hidden car compartments. Charges or matters: unlawful possession of a Grand Power semi-automatic pistol and ammunition at the second address on September 20, 2020. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Why: Mr Bowman said his client's partner became concerned about the welfare of their son because of the drug use and fled to Dublin and then Lithuania with their son. CNI source report

Case subjects

Laimonas Baltrusis

Accused

Charges: unlawful possession of a Grand Power semi-automatic pistol and ammunition at the second address on September 20, 2020 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: However, he sentenced Baltrusis to five years and three months in prison, saying that he had created these problems for himself by becoming involved in the drugs trade.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Residence
Address Area
  • Porterstown Road

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

Correction or retraction request

If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.

Email a correction request