A YOUNG man was “caught red-handed” by Gardaí transporting more than €11,000 worth of heroin on a scrambler motorbike across Limerick City, a court heard.
Josh Crawford (23), of Clarina Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston, pleaded guilty to possession of €11,781.56 worth of heroin for sale or supply on April 14, 2023.
Limerick Circuit Criminal Court heard that, on the day, Mr Crawford raised Garda suspicions as it was a warm afternoon and he was dressed in dark clothing and had his face covered.
The court heard that Garda Conor Murphy and Garda Bridget Keating, Limerick Divisional Drugs Unit, followed Crawford, who drove a scrambler from the Rosbrien Road to Ballinacurra Gardens.
Gardaí told Crawford to stop and he eventually fell from the motorbike. He was banned from driving at the time and should not have been driving the motorbike.
When the two Gardaí searched Crawford, they found packages of heroin that were wrapped into a ball of clingfilm that weighed 84.154 grams and an expensive mobile phone.
Crawford told Gardaí he was not working and was receiving a weekly €220 disability allowance.
Crawford told Gardaí he was spending up to €300 per week on purchasing cannabis, but he did not disclose any details of who he was engaging with for drugs.
He told Gardaí he was transporting the heroin to help pay off a €3,000 debt from loans to pay for his cannabis addiction.
Crawford had previous convictions for dangerous driving, driving without insurance or a licence, and simple possession of drugs, the court heard.
“The accused was caught red-handed,” prosecuting barrister John O’Sullivan told the court.
Crawford’s barrister, Amy Nix, asked the court to consider giving the defendant a chance and to not impose an immediate custodial sentence.
Ms Nix said Crawford was 20 at the time, had not profited from the sale of drugs, and had been targeted by “drug dealers”.
Ms Nix said Crawford was receiving disability payments after suffering a knee injury in a motorbike accident when he was 19.
“He found himself at the mercy of senior players in the drug industry,” said Ms Nix.
Ms Nix said Crawford was now drug-free and working and was no longer “a target” for drug dealers.
Judge Colin Daly agreed to adjourn sentencing for six months, on condition that Crawford remained in employment, engaged with the probation services, provided proof he was drug-free with regular drug test results, and provided he did not reoffend.
The judge remanded Crawford for sentencing on July 27.
– Court Reporting Scheme