GPS and CCTV evidence seals €4m drugs case

Two delivery men have been given seven-year sentences for their involvement with almost €4m worth of heroin and cannabis recovered by gardaí in a surveillance operation last year.

Hubert Schmidt (aged 28) and Mark Smullen (aged 36) were captured on CCTV at a warehouse moving the drugs in and out of their vans and gardaí were able to track their movements through GPS systems in the vehicles.

Smullen was observed to look directly at the CCTV camera and mouth: "I hope that's not on."

Schmidt, of Scribblestown Road, Finglas and Smullen, of Cloverhill Road, Ballyfermot, pleaded guilty to possession of the drugs for sale or supply at a warehouse on the Clondalkin Industrial Estate on June 19, 2008.

Judge Desmond Hogan imposed seven-year sentences on both men with the final three years suspended.

Garda Michael Kearney told Mr Sean Guerin BL, prosecuting, that gardaí acting on confidential information set up a surveillance operation and observed Schmidt reversing a van into a warehouse and then closing the shutters.

Gardaí entered the premises and found bags containing cannabis resin and heroin with an estimated street value of €3,869,912.

Gda Kearney agreed with Mr Conor Devalley SC, defending Schmidt, that he had brought the drugs to his house the previous night after collecting them and that they were picked up from there by Smullen.

He agreed that Schmidt told gardaí he did not know the bags contained drugs until he smelled them while driving and when he had the option then of going to the gardai or continue driving he "had taken the wrong option."

He agreed Schmidt was at the warehouse to collect the bags of drugs again at the time of the search. He agreed Schmidt said he was scared and feared for his family.

Det Gda Alan Monaghan that Smullen was identified from CCTV footage at the warehouse and arrested. Gardaí were able to track his and Schmidt’s movements from GPS systems in the vehicles.

Smullen told gardaí he had picked up the drugs from Schmidt’s home and brought them to the warehouse.

Det Gda Monaghan agreed with Mr Luán Ó Braonáin SC, defending Smullen, agreed that "anyone found with that quantity of drugs" would be fearful.

Mr Devalley said Schmidt, who has no previous convictions, felt "appalling guilt" and was not likely to come into contact with crime again. He said Schmidt had come to Ireland a number of years ago from Poland with his family. He submitted Schmidt had "been placed in circumstances which he didn’t respond to correctly".

Mr Ó Braonáin said Smullen, a self employed lorry driver, was "a simple person, easily lead" and was at low risk of re-offending.