Dublin drug courier 'sorry I got caught' as €1.9m cocaine haul seized in Blanchardstown

An IT technician and a Polish national appeared in court after Gardaí intercepted a drug handover in Blanchardstown, uncovering over €1.9m in cocaine, cannabis and MDMA.

IT worker and co-accused charged after €1.9m drug seizure in Dublin

Two men faced Dublin's courts this week following the seizure of drugs with a combined estimated value of more than two million euro, Dublin Live reports.

David Royle, 62, of Crumlin Road, Dublin 12, was charged with three counts of possession of controlled drugs for sale and supply and three counts of simple possession. An IT technician earning approximately €65,000 per year, Royle appeared before Judge Stephanie Coggins at Dublin District Court on Monday.

His co-accused, Tomaz Nowosad, 53, with an address at Knightsgate in Rush, was charged with two counts of possession for sale and supply and two further counts of possession. Nowosad, a Polish national who has lived in Ireland for 20 years, appeared separately before Judge Mark O'Connell.

Handover intercepted at Blanchardstown shop

Garda Stephen Byrne told the court that the Dublin Crime Response Team had observed and intercepted both men during a drug handover near a shop on Waterville Road, Blanchardstown, on Friday. Nowosad had been observed removing a Smyths shopping bag from his own car and placing it into the boot of Royle's vehicle after the two had parked alongside each other.

When Gardaí intercepted both vehicles, the shopping bag was found to contain 18 kilogrammes of cocaine, Garda Byrne said. A subsequent search of Royle's home address uncovered four kilogrammes of suspected cannabis and approximately 5,000 MDMA tablets.

Garda Byrne valued the cocaine at €1.8 million — calculated at €100 per gram — while the cannabis and MDMA were estimated at €56,000 and €50,000 respectively, bringing the total to €1,906,000. Patrick Flynn BL, representing Royle, asked the Garda whether cocaine prices had risen; Byrne confirmed the value had increased from a previous rate of €70 per gram.

'I'm not sorry I did it, I'm sorry I got caught'

Garda Byrne said Royle had been interviewed on several occasions and made admissions relating to his involvement in the sale and supply of controlled substances. He described Royle as showing no remorse, telling investigators: "I'm not sorry I did it, I'm sorry I got caught."

The Garda also said Royle admitted to acting as a courier, paid between €200 and €300 per kilogramme. In his view, Royle was "a trusted member of an organised crime gang involved in large-scale distribution of controlled drugs in the Dublin metropolitan region."

Flynn told the court his client had no recollection of uttering the phrases attributed to him, noting that video recordings of the interviews were not available to the sitting. He said Royle had become involved at a time when he was sleeping rough and homeless, and had not anticipated the scale of the quantity. Flynn also submitted that the drug values may be revised downward once all material has been formally tested.

Royle has one adult daughter and an 11-year-old daughter, Flynn said, describing him as playing a "very active role" in the younger child's life. He submitted that his client was entitled to the presumption of innocence and that his €65,000-a-year employment could be affected by the ongoing proceedings.

Second defendant's hearing

In the separate hearing for Nowosad, Garda Colin Byrne said a search of his vehicle had uncovered a further two kilogrammes of cocaine. A further seven kilogrammes of an untested substance were also located, though no charges had yet been brought in relation to that discovery.

Garda Colin Byrne said 22 bricks of suspected cocaine linked to Nowosad's charges carried an estimated value of €2.2 million, though Flynn noted only one brick had so far been tested. An encrypted Graphene phone, which Gardaí believe was used to facilitate drug distribution, was also seized.

The Garda stated that while investigators maintained Nowosad had made admissions confirming awareness that he was transporting drugs, Flynn said his instructions were that no such admissions had been made. Nowosad, who availed of a Polish interpreter, was supported in court by his partner and son. The court heard he lived in social housing and was in receipt of social welfare.

Bail conditions set for both accused

Judge Coggins remanded Royle in custody at Cloverhill Prison with consent to bail. His conditions include a personal bond of €10,000 with a €5,000 cash lodgement, an independent surety of €5,000, signing on three times per week at Kevin Street Garda Station, abstaining from intoxicating substances, surrendering his passport, observing a curfew, and having no contact with prosecution witnesses. He is next due before the court on Friday.

Judge O'Connell remanded Nowosad in custody at Cloverhill until Friday with consent to bail on strict conditions, including surrendering his passport, signing on three times per week at Balbriggan Garda Station, lodging €5,000 in cash, and providing a €5,000 independent surety.

Source: Dublin Live