Two Irishmen were each jailed for 12 years yesterday for their involvement in one of the biggest ever drugs hauls to be intercepted by police in Europe.
The two, one from Limerick and the other from Tipperary, received prison sentences at the Circuit Criminal Court in Monaghan.
Michael Howard, Knocktoran, Co Limerick, and Morgan McGrath, Bansha, Co Tipperary, both pleaded guilty before Judge Matthew Deery to charges of conspiring to import drugs estimated to have a street value of €22.5 million into the Republic between August 1st and 31st, 2002.
The charges under the Misuse of Drugs Act related to an attempt to import 591,180 ecstasy tablets; 602,000 temazepan tablets; 132 kilos of an amphetamine commonly known as "speed"; 48 kilos of heroin and 198 kilos of cannabis resin.
Imposing sentence yesterday the judge praised the role of the gardaí in the operation which led to the seizure of the drugs by the Belgian authorities. The interception and seizure of such a large consignment of drugs had prevented the widespread ruination of many lives, the judge said.
In mitigation, the judge also said he took into account that when caught the two co-operated with the gardaí. He also took into consideration the fact that they were at a low level in the international drugs trafficking network they were involved with.
Det Sgt Fergus Treanor, Garda Crime Unit, Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan,outlined the background to the arrests. He said it was established that both men were engaged in the preparation of trailers fitted with a false lead-lined bottom designed to carry drugs without detection. The aim was to conceal the drugs underneath vegetables being transported.
The hidden portion of the trailer was sealed with lead to prevent the contents being exposed by X-ray equipment at ports.
Det Sgt Treanor told the court a premises at Mullanstown near Ardee, Co Louth, had been kept under surveillance for several days and vehicles and individuals known to the gardaí were observed entering and leaving.
A lorry and trailer were seen leaving the premises for the continent and a follow-up investigation led to the seizure of a second similar trailer near the French border in Belgium with the cargo of drugs estimated to have a street value of €22.5 million.
It was alleged that both men were involved in the construction of the trailer and that Howard was involved in the loading of the vehicle at a town in Holland.
Det Sgt Treanor said that after liaising with the Belgian police and further intensive investigations by gardaí, both men were arrested.
The court heard that Howard, who was involved in a plant machinery business, was married with two children and his wife was expecting their third child. McGrath was involved in a similar business.
Counsel for both men said each had been confronted with financial problems and this had led to their involvement.