Courts / Westmeath / Report

Jail for truck driver who hid €2.8m of cocaine under Lego toys

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Noel Smullen, 58, of Silverdale, Clara, Co. Offaly, was sentenced to six and a half years' imprisonment for the unlawful importation of 40 kilos of cocaine, worth €2.8 million, hidden beneath a legitimate cargo of Lego toys. Smullen's role was described as lower than that of co‑accused Killian McNay, 40, who received a seven‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence earlier that month. Smullen pleaded guilty to the offence, which occurred at Dublin Port on 22 September 2024, after customs officers detected a concealed metal compartment in his lorry's trailer. He had nine prior convictions, including burglary and possession of stolen property. The judge, Martina Baxter, noted his cooperation, early guilty plea and lack of drug‑dealing convictions, and suspended the last 18 months of his sentence for two years on the condition of good behaviour and engagement with the Probation Service.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jail for truck driver who hid €2.8m of cocaine under Lego toys. Charges or matters: the unlawful importation of cocaine with a market value over €13,000 at Dublin Port on September 22, 2024. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• September 22, 2024 Other
• 2025-10-30 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Burglary Drugs Stage Sentence Theft

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Read the original CNI report