Courts / Dublin / Report

Financial difficulties led Canadian woman to smuggle €270k in cannabis

Summary

Elizabeth Lock, 56, was jailed for two and a half years after customs officials at Dublin Airport discovered 30 vacuum‑packed bags of cannabis worth €270,460 in her luggage. A drugs dog had indicated the presence of contraband, and a search revealed the cannabis. Lock claimed she had been given the bags in Canada by a third party and believed she was transporting precious metals for tax‑avoidance purposes. She said she had answered an online job posting, was in financial difficulty, and was promised $10,000. She pleaded guilty to possession and importation of a controlled drug for sale and supply. Judge Orla Crowe cited the large quantity and financial motive as aggravating factors, but noted Lock's medical issues, lack of prior convictions, and guilty plea. The judge imposed a three‑year sentence, suspended the final six months, and backdated the term to her March arrest.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Financial difficulties led Canadian woman to smuggle €270k in cannabis. Charges or matters: the offence. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• March 27 Incident
• 2024-10-08 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence

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Read the original CNI report