Total of 18 years for men who transported cannabis after falling into debt

Two Ballyfermot men who transported over €500,000 of cannabis resin after falling into debt with criminals because of their cocaine habits have been sentenced to a total of 18 years in prison at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Gary Reilly (aged 36) and Antonine Conlon (aged 24) committed the offence to reduce their "debts" after being threatened by the drug dealers but were caught by gardaí conducting a surveillance operation.