Polish man jailed for role in cannabis growing operation with value of €180k

A 46-year-old Polish man, “trapped” in Ireland without a passport, has been jailed for two years for his role in a sophisticated cannabis growing operation which had a potential street value of over €180,000.

Father of four Piotar Glebocki, was found cultivating 192 cannabis plants at a house in Kilmeedy, Co Limerick, on Dec 5.

He was “recruited” for the job after he had come to Ireland with the hope of working in the construction industry, Limerick Circuit Court heard yesterday.

The divorced grandfather was told he would be paid €1,500 for tending to the plants, which would take three months to cultivate.

Judge Carroll Moran was told Glebocki was used as a pawn in the operation and that he needed the money to clear a debt in Poland.

His passport was taken from him, he had no return ticket to Poland, and he was unaware where he was located geographically when gardaí searched the house in Co Limerick, the court heard.

The court heard that 192 cannabis plants were located in two upstairs bedrooms of the house and were being cultivated under a sophisticated lighting and ventilation system.

A number of mobile phones and €300 in cash was also seized during the search of the house.

A total of 65 of the plants were ready for harvest and had a street value of €52,000, while the potential value of the remaining plants was €130,000 on reaching maturity.

Defence counsel Pat Barriscale described his client as a “complete pawn” in the operation and insisted he had nothing to do with the origins of the plants.

He said he was taken advantage of when he got to Ireland and was “put into the situation”.

Mr Barriscale agreed his client was “old enough to know better” but insisted his only motivation was to clear his debt in Poland.

Glebocki pleaded guilty to cultivating the plants at the house in Bohard, Kilmeedy, Co Limerick.

Judge Carroll Moran accepted the accused was not the main player in the operation but said he was involved in the cultivation of a very large amount of illegal drugs which had a considerable potential street value and he had to take the scale of the operation into account.

He accepted that the 46-year-old was “trapped in Ireland without a passport, without really knowing where he was, and without the ability to return to Poland”.

Judge Moran imposed a four-year sentence but agreed to suspend two years, taking into account Glebocki’s guilty plea and previous good character.