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'When I sleep, I dream of Roulette': gambling addict moved €470k in drugs on bus
Summary
Peter Lam, an 80-year-old defendant from Belfast, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of drugs for sale or supply at Busaras, Dublin 1, on October 11, 2021. The court heard that Lam was intercepted by gardai upon arriving by bus from Donegal with two large boxes containing MDMA valued at €470,982, which were hidden among pottery and children's toys. Lam alleged he was acting as a courier to pay gambling debts, stating to gardai that he dreamed of Roulette. Judge Mary O'Malley Costello noted that while Lam had a previous 2013 conviction for cannabis cultivation and possession, his current role as a courier made him an important part of the drug trade. The judge acknowledged mitigating factors including Lam's guilty plea, age, health conditions such as dementia, and lack of English, but emphasized the need for deterrence and societal protection. Lam had spent ten months in custody on remand. Judge O'Malley Costello imposed a sentence of four years, suspending the final ten months. She ordered that Lam be given credit for the ten months already served in custody.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'When I sleep, I dream of Roulette': gambling addict moved €470k in drugs on bus. Charges or matters: possession of the drugs for sale or supply at Busaras, Dublin 1, on October 11, 2021; a serious offence which has consequences for society and the victims, who suffer as a result of the moving and dealing of drugs. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- October 11, 2021 Incident
- 2024-06-10 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: possession of the drugs for sale or supply at Busaras, Dublin 1, on October 11, 2021; a serious offence which has consequences for society and the victims, who suffer as a result of the moving and dealing of drugs (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge O'Malley Costello imposed a sentence of four years and suspended the final ten months.
Places mentioned
Topics
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