Gardaí discover cocaine and cannabis following West Cork house raid

Cocaine and cannabis as well as a cannabis plant were recovered by gardaí following a raid on a property near Bantry a recent sitting of Bantry District Court has heard.

Giving evidence, Det Garda Colin O’Mahony told the court that a warrant was obtained to search the property of Samuel Field, aged 42, at Millbeg, Coomhola, Bantry, Co Cork.

The search was carried out under Section 26 of the Misuse of Drugs Act at 2pm on November 3, 2022.

Det O’Mahony said that there was nobody at home when gardaí from the drugs unit arrived to carry out the search.

During the search an amount of cocaine was discovered wrapped in plastic and hidden in a tub secreted behind plasterboard in the living room of the premises.

An amount of cannabis was also discovered hidden in a dresser and a cannabis plant was found growing in a barbecue unit.

In total, 12 grams of cocaine was discovered worth about €840, 3.5 grams of cannabis worth about €70, and a cannabis plant worth about €800.

The items were seized and sent for analysis to Forensic Science Ireland.

ARREST

Det O’Mahony said that Samuel Field was arrested in Bandon on April 2, 2023 and interviewed under caution at Bandon Garda Station.

During the interview Samuel Field admitted possession of the drugs for personal use and also of possession for the purpose of sale or supply.

Mr Field said that following a serious car accident in 2017 in which his back was broken in two places he had used cannabis for pain relief.

He admitted that the cocaine was also his and said that it was the remainder of 18 grams that he had purchased with a number of friends to “have a bit of fun” at a party in August.

He said that the group of up to six friends were keeping it for use at another party.

Det O’Mahony said that Mr Field accepted that though he did not plan to sell the cocaine, the fact he was sharing among friends constituted supply.

Defence solicitor Flor Murphy said that Mr Field had admitted everything and that his client understood that you do not have to be selling drugs to be found guilty under Section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Mr Field did not appear in court due to some confusion over the date of the hearing.

Judge James McNulty said that the court was satisfied that the case was proven and deferred conviction and penalty until February 8.