Courts / Dublin / Report
Man who solicited undercover gardai to import cocaine had privacy right breached, court hears
Summary
In a 2013 appeal, Sunny Idah, aged 38, challenged his 13‑year conviction for soliciting the unlawful import of cocaine between 14 and 19 September 2010. Idah, an Irish citizen originally from Nigeria, had pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Desmond Hogan had imposed a 15‑year sentence, suspending the last two years on the condition of good behaviour for five years post‑release. The case stemmed from a joint operation between Gardaí and Swiss police. An undercover Swiss operative, posing as a Lithuanian drug dealer named "Mantas Skrupskis", communicated with Idah via email. Idah offered €5,000 to two undercover Gardaí, who posed as Polish drug mules, to travel to Brazil, swallow 1 kg of cocaine (estimated street value €70,000), and smuggle it back to Ireland.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man who solicited undercover gardai to import cocaine had privacy right breached, court hears. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- September 14 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
- September 15 Hearing Or Sentence
- September 18 Hearing Or Sentence
- September 19 Hearing Or Sentence
- September 17 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2013-11-04 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: Sunny Idah (38) against his conviction and 13-year sentence for two charges of soliciting another person to unlawfully import cocaine on dates between September 14 and 19, 2010. Judge Desmond Hogan imposed a sentence of 15 years on the father-of-three but suspended the last two years on the condition that he keep the peace and be of good behaviour for five years post-release.
Places mentioned
- Gerard House
- Brown Street
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
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