Courts / Dublin / Report
Venezuelan drug mule hospitalised for weeks after cocaine pellets burst
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Johan Monzon, a 35‑year‑old Venezuelan, was sentenced to two years in prison for possession of cocaine for sale or supply at Dublin Airport on 20 May 2025. Monzon had been on a flight from Spain when he suffered severe seizures, leading to a diversion to Dublin where he was admitted to Beaumont Hospital. He had swallowed 48 cocaine pellets, one of which ruptured, and remained hospitalised for five weeks until 1 July. A garda witness estimated the street value of the drugs at €40,768. Monzon admitted to ingesting the pellets in Colombia, Brazil, France and Spain, and claimed he had not received the promised $3,000 payment. The judge back‑dated the sentence to the date of his arrest, noting his lack of family ties in Ireland and his financial desperation. The court did not discuss any further legal proceedings.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Venezuelan drug mule hospitalised for weeks after cocaine pellets burst. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial
When:
- July 1 Incident
- May 20, 2025 Incident
- 2025-11-14 Publication
Places mentioned
- Beaumont hospital
- Dublin
- Dublin District Court
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
Drugs Stage Charge Or Pretrial
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