A drug detector dog, ‘Gus’ sniffed out €560,000 worth of cannabis being brought through the ‘Green Channel’ at Shannon airport by a former sales associate of high-end retail brands in Dublin, a court has heard.
In the case at Ennis Circuit Court, Judge Francis Comerford has jailed Seán Grehan (29) of Stradbrook Park, Blackrock, Dublin for four years and seven months – or 55 months – for the possession of the cannabis for the purpose of selling or otherwise supplying the drugs at Shannon Airport on November 12th last contrary to Section 15A of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977.
In sentencing father of two, Mr Grehan, Judge Comerford imposed a 73 month prison term and suspended the final 18 months and backdated the sentence when Mr Grehan first went into custody last November.
Mr Grehan had taken two suitcases full of cannabis with him from an Aer Lingus flight that had arrived from Boston at Shannon airport on November 12th last when he attempted to walk through the Green channel to make his way through to Arrivals.
Counsel for the State, Sarah-Jane Comerford BL said that a Revenue Customs Service sniffer dog, Gus notified Customs officials by his actions that there was an issue with Mr Grehan’s luggage.
Ms Comerford (instructed by State Solicitor for Clare, Aisling Casey) said that Mr Grehan was then asked by Customs officials to place the bags through an X-ray machine and the drugs were then detected.
Garda Kevin Molloy told the court that following examination by Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) the 62 vacuum packed black packages weighing 28KG of cannabis had a street value of €560,000.
Mr Grehan told Gardai that by bringing one suitcase through he was due to have his drug debt of between €8,000 to €9,000 wiped off while he was to receive €10,000 for bringing through the second suitcase.
Ms Comerford said that Mr Grehan was paid in cryptocurrency for his expenses.
Mr Grehan told Gardai that he was initially due to give the drugs to a person at Shannon airport but the plan changed and he was due to bring the drugs to Dublin on a bus.
Ms Comerford said that when it was put to Mr Grehan at Garda interview that he was part of a drug network, he said that this was false.
He said: “I am a victim of drug dealing.”
Mr Grehan told Gardai “anyone involved in drug dealing would not have taken those cases. This was done out of fear and desperation”.
Garda Molloy confirmed to Mr Grehan’s counsel, Lorcan Connolly SC that Mr Grehan told Gardaí “I am glad you caught me.”
Garda Molloy told the court that Mr Grehan used to work at high end retailers in Dublin but developed a cocaine addiction where he was only sleeping twice a week and was using four or five grams of cocaine a day.
Mr Connolly said that Mr Grehan was a drugs mule or courier and asked: “Who in their right mind would attempt to bring two suitcases full of cannabis through Shannon airport?
He said: “Only some kind of stooge or minion obeying some dark master. Mr Grehan was bearing all the risk for little reward. There were greater forces behind it and they were a number of steps away from this.
Mr Connolly said that it was “inevitable that these drugs would be sniffed out at Shannon airport by Gus the dog”.
Mr Connolly said that Mr Grehan’s status in the operation is shown by he didn’t even know the codes to open the suitcases and they had to be opened by bolt-cutter at the airport.
Mr Connolly said that Mr Grehan was in a corner of addiction and debt and was taken advantage of by others.
Mr Connolly said that Mr Grehan is estranged from his former partner and parents and said that he hoped after his time in prison Mr Grehan can once more become a positive contributor to society and mend his bridges with his parents and former partner.
Mr Connolly said that Mr Grehan is a first time drug offender, of previous good character if road traffic offences are overlooked, made admissions and went forward to the circuit court on a signed plea of guilt.
In sentencing Mr Grehan, Judge Comerford said that Mr Grehan did engage with activity with a view of improving his position financially and was due to be paid €10,000 from the suffering of people who are addicted to drugs.
Judge Comerford said that any duress in such a situation is self-induced as he chose to be a victim by taking drugs.
