€1.5m heroin trafficker pleads guilty

A heroin trafficker arrested in the course of a major garda campaign called "Operation Jumbo" has been remanded in custody for sentence by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Brian Grendon (aged 25), of Greenfort Drive, Clondalkin pleaded guilty to having heroin valued at some €1.5m for sale or supply on November 11, 2001, and also to dangerous driving on the same date.

Grendon's guilty plea came one day after a jury was sworn in for his trial. Originally he had pleaded not guilty to three charges in relation to the drugs and the dangerous driving charge.

Judge Patrick McCartan remanded him for sentence next Tuesday, December 3, 2002. He had been on bail up to his guilty plea.

Judge McCartan told the jury panel it would have heard various names mentioned in the course of the evidence including that of Jeffrey Mitchell (aged 29) from Monasterboice Road, Crumlin.