A KEY found during another investigation led gardai to a storage unit used by a German financed drugs ring, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court was told.
James Blackwell (43), a married father of four, of Doon Court, Dublin, was given a two year suspended sentence after he admitted conspiring with others to import cannabis resin between November 1992 and April 1993.
Judge Kieran O'Connor was told Blackwell resigned from the operation when he became concerned about how deeply he had become involved. His role ended before the Garda investigation began. But for that fact, and good reports on Blackwell, the judge said, he would have faced a long jail sentence.
Del Garda Alan Baily told Mr Erwan Mill Arden, prosecuting, the front used for the criminal conspiracy was that of an electrical sales company importing sunbeds.
He said gardai came into possession of the key on April 14th, 1993. It led them to a container unit in a lock up store at the Ossory Road industrial park. Wrappings found there were similar to those used in previous large cannabis importations.
Forensic tests on the wrapping proved they had been in contact with a cannabis substance. Blackwell was arrested after a search of his home later.
Det Garda Baily said Blackwell revealed he had been contacted by a person referred to in court as "Mr B" who asked him to help rent a store for use in a drugs operation and to assist in receiving fax messages. Both Blackwell and "Mr B" gave false names when renting the Ossory Road unit.
"Mr B" told Blackwell he was working for a Dublin criminal and the operation was being financed from Germany. He explained the use of a named electrical company as a front. A "dummy run" importing sunbeds without cannabis was carried out to test the plan.
Blackwell resigned from the operation when he became concerned about his involvement after he had been used to deliver cannabis in plastic bags.
Mr Murphy said his client had conquered a major alcohol problem and now worked with an addiction counselling organisation called Soilse, whose director described him as a "source of inspiration" and a role model.