Courts / Dublin / Report

€680k in cannabis hidden in consignment of almonds

Summary

Stephen Leech, 40, was sentenced to six years in prison after pleading guilty to possessing over €680,000 worth of cannabis for sale or supply at Kincade, Sutton, on 5 May 2023. He also admitted to possessing €3,500 in cash as proceeds of crime. Gardaí and customs officers intercepted a consignment of almonds from Bilbao that contained more than 31 kg of cannabis, valued at €682,400, along with over €4,000 worth of heroin, small amounts of cocaine and 30 alprazolam tablets. Leech was caught attempting to flee the premises and was found with 50 deals of heroin on his person. The court noted his early plea, cooperation, work history and family background as mitigating factors, and highlighted his past drug addiction and current clean status. Judge Martin Nolan described Leech as a "holder, receiver and transporter" but said his culpability was low, as he was imposed upon by third parties.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: €680k in cannabis hidden in consignment of almonds. Charges or matters: possessing the cannabis for sale or supply at Kincade, Shielmartin Road in Sutton on May 5, 2023. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• May 5, 2023 Incident
• May 4 Other
• 2024-04-24 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence

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Read the original CNI report