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Mum held €300,000 worth of drugs when she couldn't afford €3,000 debt repayments, court hears
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, 39‑year‑old Ashley Cooper of Raheny admitted allowing her home to be used for the sale and supply of controlled drugs after a financial crisis. Cooper had borrowed €3,000 from an unnamed man to support her three children during Christmas. When she could not meet the weekly €100 interest, the lender demanded she accept two bags of drugs worth about €297,000. Cooper pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of permitting a premises to be used for drug supply. Gardaí seized 9.8 kg of cannabis (valued €196,780) and 1.4 kg of cocaine (worth €100,240) from her house, and the driver of the van that delivered the drugs was charged. Cooper, with no prior convictions, cooperated with investigators and expressed fear of the lender. She has a history of depression and financial hardship, and has performed voluntary work for a homeless charity.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Mum held €300,000 worth of drugs when she couldn't afford €3,000 debt repayments, court hears. Charges or matters: allowing her home to be used for the sale and supply and distribution of controlled drugs on December 16 last. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- December 16 Incident
- May 9 Adjournment
- Christmas Other
- 2023-04-27 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: allowing her home to be used for the sale and supply and distribution of controlled drugs on December 16 last (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Counsel said it would be of very little benefit to imprison Cooper and he asked the court to consider a non-custodial sentence.; Judge Orla Crowe adjourned the case and will pass sentence on May 9.
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