Motorist stopped by gardaí in Cork and found with heroin and crack cocaine jailed for eight years

Accused had eircodes of known drug users in his phone, court told

The 28-year-old man was sentenced for dealing heroin and crack cocaine in Cork City.

Drugs unit gardaí intercepted a car arriving in Cork City with a consignment of heroin and crack cocaine, and the driver who did not cooperate with the investigation was jailed for eight years.

The 28-year-old man was sentenced for dealing heroin and crack cocaine in Cork City. Judge Dermot Sheehan imposed a sentence of 10 years, with the last two years suspended, at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

The most serious charge brought by Detective Garda Linda O’Keeffe against Osarodion Alex Aghafekohian of Moran’s Terrace, Drogheda, Co Louth, states that on March 31, 2023, at Redemption Road, Cork, he had diamorphine at a time when its street value exceeded €13,000. That is the threshold figure for a 10-year minimum sentence unless the judge finds there are exceptional circumstances.

The accused man pleaded guilty to that charge in respect of heroin when he was arraigned at Cork Circuit Criminal Court. He also admitted having cocaine for sale or supply to others on the same date.

Defence senior counsel Ray Boland said the accused had no previous convictions but at the time of the offences more than two years ago, he did have difficulties with drugs. He stressed the plea of guilty entered by the accused saved the State the time and expense of a trial by judge and jury.

Detective Garda O’Keeffe testified that on March 31, 2023, gardaí from the divisional drugs unit of Cork City received confidential information that a white BMW 320 was travelling to Cork City to deliver a quantity of diamorphine and crack cocaine.

“After 6pm, this car was observed on Redemption Road, Cork, with the male driver and one male front-seat passenger. I moved to intercept this vehicle on Redemption Road and pulled an unmarked patrol car in front and facing directly at the white BMW with the blue lights and sirens activated.

“The front-seat passenger picked up a clear plastic bag and exited the BMW, attempting to run away with the drugs. He was apprehended by gardaí. The driver was Osarodion Aghafekohian,” Det Garda O’Keeffe said.

The package contained of 433g of diamorphine (heroin) with a street value of €60,642, together with 103g of crack cocaine with a €7,252 street value.

The driver was arrested at 6.25pm that day on Redemption Road and conveyed to Gurranabraher Garda Station, where he was interviewed on three occasions. In all of these interviews, he was uncooperative with gardaí and attempted to distance himself from the incident, Det Garda O’Keeffe said.

When his phone was forensically analysed, it contained tick lists and location data, including eircodes of known drug users.

“He showed no remorse for his action. He was not an addict and alleged he received €350 for doing this. He refused to comment about doing this on any previous occasions,” the detective said.