Courts / Cork / Report
Spanish national admits to drug conspiracy
Summary
Juan Antonio Gallardo Barroso, a 56-year-old Spanish national, pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court to conspiring to import controlled drugs worth over €13,000 into Ireland between February 27 and March 14, 2024. Presiding Judge Karen O'Connor adjourned the matter to July 21 for sentencing. On that date, co-accused Mario Angel Del Rio Sanz, Anuar Rahui Chairi, and Aleksandar Milic are also listed for sentencing after pleading guilty to similar charges of conspiring to import drugs. Six other men remain charged in connection with the case: Kiumaars Ghabiri, Ali Ghasemi Mazidi, Sean Curran, Raul Tabares Garcia, Pedro Pablo Ojeda Ortega, and Angel Serran Padilla. The group was arrested by gardai in March 2024 during operations in Tragumna and Leap, near Skibbereen, County Cork. Authorities seized a jeep, camper van, articulated truck, and rigid inflatable boat during the suspected smuggling operation. The court proceedings are currently at the trial stage, with final sentencing pending for the four defendants who admitted their guilt.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Spanish national admits to drug conspiracy. Charges or matters: a similar charge of conspiring with others to import drugs; conspiring with others to import drugs; conspiring to smuggle a large quantity of drugs into Ireland; charged in connection with the case. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- February 27 Incident
- March 14 2024 Incident
- July 21 Incident
- 2025-07-09 Publication
Case subjects
Co Accused
Charges: conspiring with others to import drugs (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Defendant
Charges: conspiring to smuggle a large quantity of drugs into Ireland (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Co Accused
Charges: a similar charge of conspiring with others to import drugs (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Co Accused
Charges: a similar charge of conspiring with others to import drugs; conspiring with others to import drugs (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Accused
Charges: charged in connection with the case (Alleged Or Contested)
Places mentioned
Topics
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