A drugs "mule" who was carrying heroin in his mouth for a criminal has been jailed for five years. David Croft owed money to a drug dealer and was beaten in prison because of that debt while on remand, Judge Joseph Mathews was told in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
He was accompanied by a drugs "boss" when stopped for a search by gardai near Fatima Mansions in the Dublin south inner city area in January 1996.
Garda Michael O'Donovan told prosecuting counsel Mr George Birmingham that Croft spat a bag from his mouth and ran off. But he was followed and arrested. The bag was recovered and found to contain heroin with a street value of £500.
Croft (22), of Derry Drive, Crumlin, pleaded guilty to having the heroin for sale or supply to another on January 4th, 1996.
Ms Mary Ellen Ring, defending, said Croft smoked heroin until his father died and he then began to inject it. She noted from the probation report that he was assaulted in prison because he owed money to a drugs dealer.
Judge Mathews agreed Croft had suffered through his involvement with the drugs dealer and said he would review the sentence on January 16th, 2000, to see if the three-year balance could be suspended.