Courts / Dublin / Report
Second Malaysian mule who thought drugs were edible birds nests is jailed
Summary
A second Malaysian drugs mule who believed the €389,000 in cannabis he was smuggling in his suitcase was a consignment of edible bird nests has been jailed. Chong Chong Nen (50) pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis for sale or supply at Terminal 1, Dublin Airport, on June 2, 2024. He has no previous convictions and has been in custody since his arrest on the day of the offence. Judge Dara Hayes noted the deleterious effect of drug crime on communities and on wider society. She said there were "specific and exceptional" circumstances in the case which allowed her to depart from the presumptive minimum sentence of ten-year imprisonment, citing the manner in which Chong Nen had dealt with the case, his early plea and his cooperation and admissions. She set a headline sentence of five and a half years before imposing a term of three years and six months, suspending the final nine months. Kim Low Swee (35), also from Malaysia, received a sentence of three years and six months, with the final 12 months suspended earlier this month, after the court heard he was under significant financial pressure. The second Malaysian drugs mule, who also believed he was carrying bird nests, has been jailed. The matter was adjourned at the sentence stage.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Second Malaysian mule who thought drugs were edible birds nests is jailed. Charges or matters: possession of cannabis for sale or supply at Terminal 1, Dublin Airport, on June 2, 2024. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- June 2, 2024 Incident
- 2024-12-20 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: possession of cannabis for sale or supply at Terminal 1, Dublin Airport, on June 2, 2024 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He said there were "specific and exceptional" circumstances in the case which allowed him to depart from the presumptive minimum sentence of ten-year imprisonment, citing the manner in which Chong Nen had dealt with the case, his early plea and his cooperation and admissions.
Defendant
Charges: possession of cannabis for sale or supply at Terminal 1, Dublin Airport, on June 2, 2024 (Alleged Or Contested)
Outcome: Low Swee, also from Malaysia, received a sentence of three years and six months, with the final 12 months suspended earlier this month, after the court heard he was under significant financial pressure.
Convicted Person
Charges: possession of cannabis for sale or supply at Terminal 1, Dublin Airport, on June 2, 2024 (Alleged Or Contested)
Outcome: second Malaysian drugs mule who said he thought the €389,000 in cannabis he was smuggling in his suitcase was a consignment of edible bird nests has been jailed.
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