A 21-year-old who stashed drugs in a hay shed on his family farm was before Ballina District Court this week for the possession of cannabis and also for the sale and supply of the drug.
Detective Sergeant Jim Caden outlined that, following confidential information received, a search warrant was obtained and gardaí went to a farm at Rathreedaun, Bonniconlon. While there, David Smith, Carralavin, Bonniconlon, Ballina and his brother arrived at the farm. When gardaí approached Smith with the warrant, the defendant immediately brought gardaí to a hay shed where he produced 421.7 grams of cannabis, with an estimated street value of €6,747.20. A full search of the unoccupied house and lands was carried out, however no other drugs were located.
Smith, who has no previous convictions, admitted to gardaí that he had been smoking cannabis for three years and was supplying cannabis to a network of friends, on and off for a year and a half.
The court heard that the defendant had also been addicted to prescription drugs such as valium and had attended Hope House.
Inspector Joe Doherty said that the prosecution would be looking for a letter from Hope House and urine analysis.
Judge Mary Devins put the case back to February 14 2012 for a probation report, evidence from Hope House in relation to aftercare and urine analysis.
