Laois man found with drugs worth €285k in Portlaoise shed has €1,000 daily cocaine habit

Gardaí claim a man they found locked in a garden shed with €285,000 worth of cocaine, cannabis and ecstasy has a cocaine debt of up to €60,000 and a habit that costs €1,000 a day to maintain.

The details emerged in Portlaoise District Court on Tuesday, June 18 when James Carroll, aged 45, of 92 Cherrygrove, Knockmay, Portlaoise was brought to court after being charged at Portlaoise Garda Station.

Laois Gardaí arrested the accused during a search operation on Sunday afternoon, June 16.

Garda Neill Slevin gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution to Judge Andrew Cody. He said he arrested the accused on Section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act. He told the court that Mr Carroll did not reply to any of the six offences when charged.
Garda Slevin, who is attached to the Laois Garda Drugs unit, said the drugs were found after gardaí executed a search warrant for Mr Carroll’s home. During the search, they found a wooden shed locked from the inside.

Upon entry, Gardaí found the accused sitting. During a search of the shed Garda Slevin said a large quantity of the three drugs with a combined value of about €285,000 was located.

He said the drugs were found within reach of the accused. Also discovered in the shed was a sawn-off shotgun, ammunition and air pistol. He added that the drugs found were subject to analysis.

Representing the accused, Michael Byrne said reference to the gun in evidence was prejudicial as there was no firearms charge.

However, Judge Cody said it was a relevant factor. Garda Slevin said the firearm had been sent for ballistic analysis. He added that he was trained in firearm use. He also told the court that Mr Carroll admitted to knowledge of the presence of the firearm during interviews after his arrest.

Garda Slevin also told the court that drug paraphernalia found included weighing scales, packaging, a cocaine press, a vacuum packer, a blending agent and other items including three mobile phones.

Garda Slevin alleged that the shed in which Mr Carroll was found was being used to prepare, store and distribute drugs.
The Garda also said that during interviews, the accused, who has a wife and child, admitted that he was the only person with access to the shed.

Garda Slevin said the accused told gardaí that he is heavily addicted to cocaine using up to 14 grams per day, or €7,000 per week. He also uses ‘street tablets’.

Garda Slevin applied to the judge that the accused be remanded in custody due to the nature and seriousness of the offence. Garda Slevin said he believed the accused could commit serious offences if released on bail partly due to a €60,000 drug debt.

He said further charges may also be brought before the court.

Mr Byrne said his client had become addicted to cocaine after starting to use the drug to keep him awake to allow him to work as a courier. He said his client had used up some €40,000 of his savings on his addiction.

The court also heard that Mr Carroll had a history of psychiatric illness. He said his client had suffered coercion over his involvement with drugs. Garda Slevin confirmed that the accused had claimed that he and his family were under threat.

The solicitor also claimed that the accused had been isolated in the shed for up to a year and a half. He said his client was unable to operate as a functioning human with no free will. He described him as a broken sick man. Garda Slevin told the judge that Mr Carroll painted a bleak picture and was vulnerable but could be exploited again.

The solicitor also said his client had told gardaí that he was relieved at what had happened.

Garda Slevin confirmed to the judge that a safety warning was given to the accused during his interviews over how questions are answered.

Garda Slevin disagreed with the solicitor’s description of Mr Caroll as a minor player. He said a small cog would not be trusted with the volume of drugs found.

The court also heard that Mr Carroll had enquired about residential drug treatment but was in a Catch-22 situation as he would be unable to service his debt if in treatment.

Making his bail submission Mr Byrne said his client has fully co-operated and had no previous convictions. He would sign on daily with Gardaí, be contactable by phone, surrender his passport and reside at his home. He added that the accused’s wife had €1,000 in cash in court as a surety.

The Judge said he was not satisfied that Mr Carroll was not likely to evade justice if released on bail. He said Mr Carroll’s cocaine habit cannot be paid for by any normal income.

He accepted that Mr Caroll is vulnerable but the overriding issue in considering bail was protecting the public from further offences.

He declined to grant bail and remanded Mr Carroll to appear again before Portlaoise District Court on June 24. Legal aid was granted.