A South African national has been jailed for three years for attempting to smuggle almost £45,000 worth of drugs through Dublin Airport last August.
Dean Calvin Cox (27), Johannesburg, South Africa, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to two counts of possession on August 11th last of cannabis resin and cannabis herb with intent to sell or supply.
Garda Dominic McGrath, Drugs Unit, Santry Garda Station, told prosecuting counsel Ms Pauline Walley BL, that Cox was detained after he arrived on an Air France flight from Paris.
When questioned by immigration officers, it was discovered he had very little money and knew no-one in Ireland. The officers became suspicious and searched Cox's bag.
The search revealed 15 packages of cannabis herb with a street value of over £27,000 and two of cannabis resin worth almost £17,500.
Garda McGrath said Cox told gardai he had been unemployed in South Africa for two years. He had very little money, so when asked by some people to bring some drugs to Ireland, he agreed.
These people told him he would have no problems and would not get caught. They bought his tickets, packed his bag and took him to the airport. They gave him 1,000 rand - just enough for a one-night stay in a Dublin hotel.
Gda McGrath said Cox stood to gain around £2,000, and was going to use this to visit his girlfriend in Japan.
Defence counsel, Mr Patrick Marrinan SC, said Cox accepted the seriousness of the offence and that he had to serve time.