Delivery driver on drugs charges in Cork to decide on plea next week

The defendant told gardaí at the time that he knew it was something illegal but he did not know it was drugs

The accused was refused bail at Cork District Court and was also unsuccessful in his High Court appeal for bail. File picture: Larry Cummins

The driver of a delivery van who allegedly signed to receive a package of over €54,000 worth of cannabis and cocaine sent through the post and concealed in a domestic appliance will indicate next week if he is pleading guilty or not guilty.

Judge Mary Dorgan adjourned the case against 31-year-old Martin Lleshi until January 30. Defence solicitor Killian McCarthy said that consideration would be given by the defence to the possibility of entering a signed plea of guilty.

Detective Garda Emmet Long brought a new charge against Martin Lleshi of Bank Place, Mallow, County Cork. The charge is contrary to Section 15A of the Misuse of Drugs Act and on conviction there can be minimum sentence of 10 years unless the judge finds there are exceptional circumstances.

The new charge states that he had cocaine and cannabis with a combined value of over €54,000 for sale or supply at Glasheen Road, Cork, on August 29. He was refused bail at Cork District Court and was also unsuccessful in his High Court appeal for bail.

Detective Garda Emmet Long objected to bail, stating that the Albanian national did not have ties to Ireland and would be a flight risk if given bail.

Mr Lleshi, 31, faces related drugs charges arising out of the same incident. Detective Garda Long said there was a controlled delivery of the package in a joint operation carried out by a number of garda units and Revenue officers.

The detective testified at Cork District Court that the package contained a household appliance with a large amount of controlled substance inside. It was further stated that the owner of the address had no knowledge whatever of the package being delivered.

“If given bail I believe the defendant would abscond and would be a serious flight risk. He has no ties to the community and he is now unemployed. He said (to gardaí) that he absconded from Albania due to a threat on his life there. And he absconded from Greece also due to a threat on his life.

“He was working as a delivery driver in Cork and photographing addresses at which deliveries could be made,” Det. Garda Long alleged. Martin Lleshi told gardaí at the time that he knew it was something illegal but he did not know it was drugs.