AN ENGLISH national who was "minding" Pounds 390,000 worth of cocaine for a city centre criminal has been remanded in custody by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for sentence today.
Charles Pavia (25), of Mountainview Court, Summerhill, Dublin 1, pleaded guilty to having the cocaine for sale or supply at his flat on October 23rd, 1995.
His guilty plea came on the second day of his trial after Judge Patrick Smith ruled a search warrant was admissible in evidence.
Det Sgt Maurice O'Connor said the cocaine was found during a garda search of adjoining flats. It was found to be 65 per cent pure. There was a total of 14 ounces with a street value of Pounds 390,000.
Det Sgt O'Connor agreed with Mr Gregory Murphy SC (with Mr Bruce Antoniotti), prosecuting, that the defendant was not a dealer himself but was "minding" the drug for another person. He wasn't under any pressure or threat to do so.
Judge Smith was told Pavia was an English national who had been living in the flat for five months. His mother was Irish and his father Maltese.
Defence counsel, Mr Michael Feehan SC, (with Mr Luigi Rea) asked for sentence to be adjourned overnight for preparation of a mitigation plea.