Teen who was forced to hide cocaine acquitted by judge

A teenager found with €3,500 worth of cocaine hidden in his bedroom has been acquitted after a judge held he was acting under duress and had been forced into minding the drugs under a death threat.

The 17-year-old north Dublin boy’s home was searched by gardaí late last year, the Children’s Court heard. The teenager was pleading not guilty to possessing the drugs and possession with intent to supply, Judge Anthony Halpin was told.