Jailed after he was caught with €160,000 worth of cannabis

By Sonya McLean

A man who was caught transporting just over €160,000 worth of cannabis has been jailed for four years.

Paulius Baltrunas (35) of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to have the drugs for sale or supply at Fonthill Retail Park, Dublin on May 18, 2024.

A garda told Carol Doherty BL, prosecuting, that gardaí were alerted to suspicious activity in the area and saw Baltrunas in a service station in Fonthill Retail Park.

He was searched and his vehicle, which was parked outside, was also searched.

Gardaí got a strong smell of cannabis from the car and found a large shopping bag containing just over €160,000 worth of the drug.

The garda said “nothing of evidential value” came out of Baltrunas’s subsequent interview with gardaí.

Eoin Lawlor SC, defending, told the court that his client had been awaiting further information as to where to bring the drugs to.

He had come to Ireland from Lithuania three months previously in the hope of setting up a vape business but it had not worked out.

Judge Martin Nolan said he can “infer” from the evidence that Baltrunas was to transport the drugs for payment.

He said Baltrunas came to Ireland “with great expectations” but noted that things did not happen as he had hoped.

He jailed Baltrunas for four years