Man accused of attempting to import €5.6m heroin haul in flower shipment
A Dutch truck driver has gone on trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for attempting to import €5.6m of heroin hidden in a shipment of flowers.
Jan Stuurman (aged 40) of Curran Ard, Athy in Kildare has pleaded not guilty to five counts of possessing and importing the drugs with another truck driver at a customs warehouse on Castleforbes Road, Dublin 1 on December 16, 2008.
Opening the case for the prosecution, Mr Paul Greene SC, told the jury that Mr Stuurman and another man, Mr Thomas Van Son, were both driving large 40 ft trucks for a reputable Dutch transport company called Van Dongen.
He said they will hear evidence that both trucks entered Dublin Port carrying consignments of fresh flowers to be transported to warehouses around the country. Customs searched both vehicles and found the heroin at the front of Mr Van Son’s trailer, hidden behind the flowers. No drugs were found in Mr Stuurman’s truck.
Gardaí also seized mobile phones and other evidence found in both trucks. Mr Greene said both men were arrested and interviewed and the jury will hear evidence for Mr Stuurman’s account.
The trial will continue on Friday before Judge Desmond Hogan and a jury of eight men and four women.
