A Dublin man caught in a Garda operation transferring €2.8 million's worth of cannabis from his truck into a van has been sentenced to 10 years in prison by Judge Patricia Ryan.
David White (43), originally from Coolock, but now living in Marian Way, Liverpool, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court yesterday to possession of the drugs for sale or supply at Greencastle Parade, Coolock on March 13th, 2006.
Judge Ryan 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.
Det Garda Daragh O'Toole told Dominic McGinn, 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 was discovered.
The van driver made a 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.
However, when his co-accused's admissions and the Garda surveillance were put to him, he accepted responsibility.