An undercover Garda bought heroin from a man in an elaborate sting operation set up to target drug trafficking by foreign nationals in the Limerick area, a court heard yesterday.
"Operation Ivory" led to the seizure of €500,000 worth of heroin - the biggest single seizure of the drug in the Limerick region.
Two foreign nationals charged in connection with the haul are due to be sentenced later this month at Limerick Circuit Court.
Nigerian Emmanuel Ashibougwu (26), with an address in Crescent Villas, Limerick, is charged with three separate offences relating to the seizure.
Co-accused Mohammed Cargos (33), originally from Sierra Leone but with an address in Limerick city, is charged with possession of the drugs with intent for sale or supply. Both men have admitted the charges.
Limerick Circuit Court heard the drugs were seized last August 18th following a sting operation.
The drugs were bought by an undercover Garda after Sgt Ronan McDonagh rang a mobile phone answered by Ashibougwu.
Ashibougwu told Sgt McDonagh he had 2.5 kilos of heroin for sale, which he would sell for €100,000 or €25,000 per kilo. A meeting was arranged outside a bar where a sample was given to undercover Garda Pádraig Sutton by Ashibougwu, and it was agreed that one kilo of heroin would be purchased later.
Garda Sutton met the Nigerian in Henry Street, having brought a plastic bag containing 25 bundles of paper each wrapped in €50 notes.
Ashibougwu asked Garda Sutton if he was a cop and if he was wired. He warned the Garda he would kill him if he "faked him over", and searched him for bugging devices. He went with Ashibougwu to a cul-de-sac where the drugs were handed over. The court heard that Mohammed Cargos acted as a "look-out" for Ashibougwu.
Judge Carroll Moran remanded both men in custody and adjourned sentencing in the case until February 20th.