Spaniard swallowed 157 capsules of cannabis

A Spaniard with over €100,000 in business debts resorted to swallowing 157 capsules of cannabis before flying into Cork but a customs sniffer dog detected the drug smuggling.

Garda Robert Kennedy said Unai Arrese Aguirregabica, aged 40, was detected by the customs dog, Max, on his arrival on a flight from Malaga to Cork on Saturday, Aug 3.

Aguirregabica pleaded guilty to importing over €6,000 worth of cannabis in capsules which he swallowed, and he also admitted related drugs offences. Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin imposed a total sentence of 12 months.

Aguirregabica had no previous convictions but he told Garda Kennedy he had accrued debts from business in Spain and had done a number of previous drug-runs for which he was never caught.

The judge said that nothing other than a prison sentence would be appropriate in order to deter others from committing such offences.

Garda Kennedy said the Customs Officer on duty with the sniffer dog brought the accused to a detention room in the airport and questioned him in relation to drugs.

“The accused made admissions that he ingested 157 pellets of cannabis. He was brought to hospital and kept in hospital over the next two days,” Garda Kennedy said.

All of the pellets containing 1kg and 106 grammes were recovered and they had a street value of €6,600.