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Lanzarote-based offender collected over €1m in cannabis at Dublin Port

Summary

Derek Landers, 42, who has lived in Lanzarote, Spain for 20 years, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of drugs for sale or supply after a pallet of cannabis was seized at Dublin Port. The pallet, weighing 54 kg and valued at €1,046,000, was hidden under towels and discovered by customs and Gardaí. Landers admitted he believed he was collecting horse feed and was offered €250 for the job, later claiming he was asked to do a job for €1,000. He has 19 prior convictions in Spain and Ireland. Judge Elva Duffy, noting that Landers was not at the top rung of the drug‑distribution ladder, sentenced him to five years' imprisonment. The case involved a joint customs‑Garda operation that intercepted the shipment and examined the contents. Landers expressed remorse and apologized to his family, society and the court. The sentence reflects the seriousness of the offence and Landers' guilty plea.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Lanzarote-based offender collected over €1m in cannabis at Dublin Port. Charges or matters: possession of the drugs for sale or supply at Promenade Road, Dublin 1 on May 18, 2023. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• May 18, 2023 Incident
• 2024-12-17 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence

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Read the original CNI report