Two Lithuanian men, who were caught red handed in possession of drugs, were sentenced to three months in prison in Castlebar District Court this week. Mantas Baltikanukas, 31 Chapel Court Apartments, Claremorris, and Aurimas Simanskis, 32 Chapel Court Apartments, Claremorris, both pleaded guilty to the charges in court.
Garda John Monaghan told the court that on May 3 2013 at 7.30pm he obtained a search warrant from a peace officer to search the home of Mantas Baltikanukas. When he arrived at the scene and was about to execute the search warrant he saw Baltikanukas walking to a car parked in the car park which was being driven by Aurimas Simanskis. Baltikanukas was carrying a brown leather shoulder bag with him.
Garda Monaghan searched Simanskis and found a brown package taped to the on the inside of his jacket on the right hand side. When the contents of the package were examined it was found to contain 38gms of amphetamines with a street value of €570.
He also searched Baltikanukas, and in the bag Baltikanukas was carrying the garda found a green plant-like substance that was sent away for examination. When the results were returned it showed that it contained 34g of cannabis with a street value of €680.
Garda Monaghan said that he then carried out a search on Baltikanukas’ home where he lived with his mother, who had no idea her son was involved in this activity, but nothing of eventual value was turned up.
Judge Mary Devins asked Garda Monaghan whether there was much co-operation from the defendants as to where they got the drugs and where they were going. Garda Monaghan said there was limited detail given. Judge Devins said that she saw a distinct lack of co-operation to the administration of justice in the country and did not see any reason to give either man a chance. She convicted and fined both men €500 and sentenced them to three months in prison each. Recognisance in lieu of an appeal was also fixed.
