Courts / Dublin / Report

Jail for Ecuadorian man who smuggled cannabis to pay for missing daughter's operation

Summary

An Ecuadorian man, Angel Felix Garcia, aged 30, was jailed for nine months after attempting to smuggle cannabis into Ireland to fund an eye operation for his daughter. Garcia was arrested at Dublin Airport on 5 February 2016 after a customs officer searched him and found 150 cannabis pellets weighing 1.5 kg, valued at under €9,000. He admitted swallowing the pellets and had purchased €2,500 worth of drugs with savings, hoping to sell them for €6,000 to cover the €5,500 operation. Garcia explained that the 2016 Ecuador earthquake had destroyed his family's home, placing his two daughters and former partner on the missing persons list. He pleaded guilty, showing "uncommon candour," and received an 18‑month sentence with the final nine months suspended, back‑dated to his arrest. The judge noted his early guilty plea and his willingness to search for his family.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jail for Ecuadorian man who smuggled cannabis to pay for missing daughter's operation. Charges or matters: possession of cannabis at Dublin Airport on February 5, 2016. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• February 5, 2016 Incident
• 2016-07-01 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Airport Incidents Drugs Stage Sentence

Related court reports

• Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
• Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
• Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
• 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
• Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
• 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'

Read the original CNI report