Man who confessed to dealing drugs in Cork told gardaí vacuum-packing machine was for meat

Sentencing at Cork Circuit Court adjourned until November 17

Cannabis with a street value of €5,000 was found, together with €10,200 in cash, a vacuum-packing machine and a weighing scales.

A 31-year-old man who confessed to cannabis-dealing and money-laundering in Douglas, Cork, also had a vacuum-packing machine but he told drugs unit gardaí that this was only for packing meat before freezing it.

Blazej Machrowicz, of Hollyville, Grange, Douglas, Cork, admitted money-laundering in respect of €10,200 cash, possession of cannabis and having the drugs for the purpose of sale or supply to others. The charges date back to September 14, 2021.

Detective Garda Brian English said the defendant’s home in Grange was searched on that date under warrant.

Cannabis with a street value of €5,000 was found, together with €10,200 in cash, a vacuum-packing machine and a weighing scales.

“The defendant was at home at the time and he was arrested by Garda Garry Brennan.

“Asked what he had the drugs for, he said he would smoke some and sell some to his friends.

“He said that about half of the cash was from selling cannabis and the other half was from work.

“He said he used the vacuum-packing machine to pack meat to put into the freezer,” Det Garda English said.

Brian Leahy, defending, said the defendant had not come to garda attention since 2021.

Judge Helen Boyle said: “I will need to see more supervised urinalysis on a monthly basis, the results to be forwarded to the State.” 

Judge Boyle adjourned sentencing until November 17 at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.