TWO men caught with £1 million worth of cannabis and ecstasy at Rosslare Harbour by Jake, the award winning sniffer dog, have been jailed for 10 years.
Speaking at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Kieran O'Connor said he had to protect the public from drugs. He was sending a message to others who might consider bringing drugs into Ireland. The judge said he had to take into account the damage, harm and hardship caused to young people who come into contact with drugs.
After a nine day trial in December, the jury took nearly 21/2 hours to return majority 10-2 guilty verdicts on Thomas Vearer (39), of Suffolk, England, and Martin Ferris (41), of Craigavon, Co Armagh.
They were convicted on six charges relating to the importation of nearly 10,000 ecstasy tablets and 60 kilos of cannabis resin with a street value of £1 million on April 23rd, 1995.
A member of the Customs National Drugs Team told the trial a Citroen BX car was stopped as it left the St Killian II on arrival from Cherbourg. It was driven by Ferris with Vearer as the passenger. Jake was brought to the car and reacted by splaying his paws on the boot. A search revealed a hidden compartment under the boot.
When it was pointed out to Ferris he said "Oh, that's empty". But the drugs were found when the false bottom was lifted.
Garda Heffernan said that Vearer had six previous convictions, in eluding one for manslaughter.