A MAN has received a seven-year prison sentence after a jury earlier this week found him guilty of having more than €134,000 worth of cannabis in October 2006.
The drugs were in a box from Pretoria, South Africa, marked books and printed matter which was intercepted by Customs. Kerry gardaí carried out a sting operation, the Circuit Criminal Court in Tralee heard.
Premier Mthethwa (40), Knocknacuig, Tralee, Co Kerry, originally from South Africa, had pleaded not guilty to three charges including possession of cannabis, possession of cannabis with intent to sell and supply, and possession of cannabis believed to be worth in excess of €13,000, all on October 5th, 2006.
The eight-day trial heard how Customs at Dublin airport had intercepted the package which was on its way to Tralee via Heathrow airport from Pretoria, South Africa.
Judge Ray Fulham said there were mitigating factors in the case including that Mthethwa had no previous conviction, was an orphan with little education and had a good work history.