Gardaí uncovered what they described as a ‘grow-house’ during search of Passage West home

GARDAÍ with a search warrant for a house in Passage West found what they described as a grow-house containing cannabis being cultivated with a potential value of €7,200.

Now at Cork District Court — 45-year-old Neringa Puteliene — who was never in any kind of trouble before, has pleaded guilty to the cultivation of cannabis at her home at Mariners Quay, Passage West, County Cork.

The offence dates back just over two years. And her solicitor, Frank Buttimer said that the term “grow-house” was an overstatement of the arrangement the defendant had in place for the cultivation of plants.

The solicitor said the valuation of the drugs at more than €7,200 would always be a matter of dispute, saying that the prosecution had a particular way of valuing cannabis plants in terms of a street value for fully mature plants.

Judge Joanne Carroll accepted jurisdiction and said she would require a probation report on the defendant before finalising the matter on January 15, 2024.

Sergeant Pat Lyons said that following the search a total of nine cannabis plants were located — three large plants and six smaller ones — with a €7,200 value.

The search was carried out on October 7, 2021, and the prosecution value on each plant was put at €800. Sgt Lyons said gardaí found a grow-house with a heating and vent system for the purpose of growing the plants and that the defendant made a full admission to cultivating the cannabis.

The Director of Public Prosecutions directed that the case could be dealt with at Cork District Court on a plea of guilty only and that otherwise it would have to be dealt with by indictment at the circuit court.

Mr Buttimer said: “Gardaí must have got some information. She was growing cannabis for her own use. I would not say grow-house. Grow-house has some connotations. There is no suggestion of supply in this case.

“She is working… She is Lithuanian. And living here for 20 years. Since detection she has stopped using cannabis, by her own doing and attending Arbour House. In mitigation otherwise, she has no record and fully cooperative.”

Judge Carroll said: “I will look for a probation report and I need some confirmation she is drug free.”