Meath man sentenced for drug trafficking

A Meath man who was told his €1,300 drug debt would be "cleared" if he went to Madrid to collect a package has been sentenced to four years for bringing cocaine into Ireland.

Collins Igweonu (aged 35), Pace Road, Little Pace, Clonee, pleaded guilty to having the cocaine for sale or supply at Dublin Airport on June 21, 2006. Judge Patricia Ryan suspended the final year of the sentence.

Garda Jackie Carey told Ronan Kennedy BL, prosecuting, that Igweonu told Customs and Excise officers at the Airport that he had "herbal medicine" in his bag. A package with white powder was discovered which was found to be cocaine with a street value of €16,000.

Garda Carey agreed with Kieran Kelly BL, defending, that Igweonu told gardaí he had "some suspicions" about the content of the package. He owed €1,300 to a drugs dealer who gave him the option of travelling to Madrid to collect the package for him as a means of "clearing his debt".

Mr Kelly said Igweonu had no previous convictions and was an Irish citizen and father of a young daughter. Igweonu was not charged under section 15A of the Misuse of Drugs Act which could have resulted in a mandatory 10-year sentence.