10 years for transferring cocaine worth €2.8m
A Dublin man caught in a garda operation transferring cannabis valued €2.8m from his truck into a van has been sentenced to 1- years in prison by Judge Patricia Ryan.
David White (aged 43), originally from Coolock, but now living in Marian Way, Liverpool, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of the drugs for sale or supply at Green Castle Parade, Coolock on March 13, 2006.
Judge Ryan accepted that White had expressed sincere remorse to both his family and the community for his role in the operation.
She took into account the consequence White’s conviction would now have on his life and suspended the last two years of the sentence on condition that he be of good behaviour for five years on his release.
Detective Garda Daragh O’Toole told Mr Dominic McGinn BL, prosecuting, that White was under garda surveillance that day after arriving in Dublin port via ferry from Liverpool.
His truck was followed to an industrial estate in Coolock where he was seen moving five suitcases from his vehicle to a waiting van. This van was later stopped and the cannabis haul valued €2.8m was discovered.
The van driver made full admission to gardaí and later pleaded guilty to the same charge as White but a bench warrant has been issued for his arrest after he failed to appear for his hearing.
Det. Gda O’Toole said that White was later stopped on the M50 and brought to a local garda station for questioning but he denied any knowledge of the drugs. When his co-accused’s admissions and the garda surveillance were put to him, he accepted responsibility.
Det. Gda O’Toole agreed with Mr Erwan Mill-Arden SC (with Ms Sandra Feahney BL), defending, that White had no previous conviction either in Ireland or England and that he had expressed sincere remorse for his role in the operation.
