Chronic cannabis addict found with €55k worth of the drug in Cork house was trying to clear debt, court told

Accused had a debt of €19,000 he was trying to clear by selling cannabis, court hears

Accused told gardaí he had 10 to 20 customers and that he smoked a lot of cannabis for personal use. Picture: Getty

Cork drugs unit gardaí raided a house in Glasheen and discovered €55,000 worth of cannabis in a bedroom.

The 23-year-old man responsible for the stash faced sentencing at Cork Circuit Criminal Court, where he said he was trying to clear a €19,000 drugs debt arising out of a chronic addiction he had to the drug.

Detective Garda Robert Kennedy investigated the case against Constantin Vardoshvili, of An Radharc Lower, Maryborough Ridge, Cork, who was represented by Jane Hyland, senior counsel.

He admitted possession of cannabis, having the drug for sale or supply, and a similar sale or supply charge specifying drugs with a street value in excess of €13,000. That is the threshold figure for a minimum 10-year sentence unless the judge finds there are exceptional circumstances.

All three charges under the Misuse of Drugs Act relate to August 21, 2024, at Westwood, Wycherley Place, Glasheen, Cork.

On that date, gardaí from the Cork City divisional drugs unit uncovered over €2.7kg of cannabis in a downstairs bedroom in the house which he was using at the time, although he was not living there.

“He was using this premises to store and distribute the cannabis. He cooperated during the search and told us he had 10 to 20 customers and that he smoked a lot of cannabis for personal use.

“He said he had a €15,000 drugs debt [it now stands at a debt of €19,000] and he was selling in order to clear the drugs debt,” Det Garda Kennedy said.

Ms Hyland said the probation report confirmed the accused was himself a chronic addict and was doing this under threat, that he is remorseful and has a good level of victim awareness. He is ashamed of the distress he has brought on family and loved ones, the senior counsel said.

Ms Hyland asked Judge Dermot Sheehan not to impose a custodial sentence in this case, and instead asked for sentencing to be adjourned to give him an opportunity to show he was clear of drugs and of dealing. 

She said the defendant was keen to secure employment, clear his debt and prove himself to the court.

Without giving any indication of the eventual sentence to be imposed, Judge Sheehan put the case back until February 12, 2026, at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.