Courts / Dublin / Report
Criminal found surrounded by €1.1m in drugs hidden in dog food one day after release
Summary
Adam Rzepka, 39, was released on bail for a €400k money‑laundering offence and was found the next day surrounded by over €1.1 million in drugs hidden in dog food. He pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis worth €1.1 million, to having a car used in drug trafficking, to possessing a mixing agent for drug trafficking and to possessing €33,090 in cash that was the proceeds of criminal conduct. The drugs were seized at Hickey's Yard, The Ward, Co. Dublin, where Rzepka was the only person present and was found in a loft beside vacuum‑packed cannabis. The court imposed a 15‑year global sentence, consecutive to the seven years he is already serving for money laundering, with the final two years suspended on condition of good behaviour. The judge cited the high value of the drugs and the lack of remorse as aggravating factors.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Criminal found surrounded by €1.1m in drugs hidden in dog food one day after release. Charges or matters: possessing cannabis worth over €1.1 million; having a car in his possession that was being used in a drug trafficking offence, having a mixing agent for the use in drug trafficking and possessing property that was the proceeds of criminal conduct in the form of €33,090 in cash. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- November 29, 2021 Incident
- 2024-05-14 Publication
Why: Michael Bowman SC, defending, submitted that his client had tried to take his own life on number of occasions since his arrest, in the belief that the courts would deal with him more harshly because he is a foreign national. Defence account reported by CNI
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: possessing cannabis worth over €1.1 million; having a car in his possession that was being used in a drug trafficking offence, having a mixing agent for the use in drug trafficking and possessing property that was the proceeds of criminal conduct in the form of €33,090 in cash (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Adam Rzepka (39) is already serving a seven-year sentence for the money laundering offence and had been released on bail the day before he was found with the drugs. She imposed a 10-year sentence. "Taking into account it's a consecutive sentence, I will suspend the final two years on condition he be of good behaviour and keep peace," she added.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Richmond Street
- Dublin
Topics
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'
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request