Man fleeing death threat in Albania ‘abused’ job in Cork to help import drugs

A man fleeing from a death threat in Albania took advantage of his delivery van driving job in Cork to scope out suitable addresses for the postal delivery of consignments of drugs, a court has heard.

“An aggravating factor is the abuse of your job to facilitate the importation of drugs,” said Judge Helen Boyle.

The accused man was sentenced to five and a half years, with the last one and a half years suspended.

The four years were backdated to August 2024 when he went into custody following his arrest by Detective Garda Emmet Long.

The driver of a delivery van admitted receiving a postal package of over €54,000 worth of cannabis and cocaine concealed in a domestic appliance.

Martin Lleshi, aged 31, appeared at Cork Circuit Criminal Court for sentencing.

Investigation

His senior counsel, Elizabeth O’Connell, said that he co-operated with the investigation and signed pleas of guilty to the charges against him arising out of the case.

Det Gda Long brought charges against Lleshi, of Bank Place, Mallow, Co Cork, the most serious of which was contrary to section 15A of the Misuse of Drugs Act which carries a minimum sentence of 10 years unless the judge finds there are exceptional circumstances.

This charge states that he had cocaine and cannabis with a combined value of over €54,000 for sale or supply at Glasheen Rd, Cork, on August 29, 2024.

He was refused bail at Cork District Court and was also unsuccessful in his High Court appeal for bail.

Det Gda Long said that the Albanian national did not have ties to Ireland and that he had been photographing suitable addresses for the delivery of drugs when he was working in Cork as a van driver.

Controlled delivery

One consignment was detected when it was in the FedEx postal system, and a controlled delivery was organised in a joint operation between Gardaí and officials of Customs and Excise.

The detective testified that the package contained a household appliance with a large amount of controlled substance inside.

Det Gda Long said that the owner of the address had no knowledge whatever of the package being delivered.

“He [Lleshi] was working as a delivery driver in Cork and photographing addresses at which deliveries could be made,” testified Det Gda Long.

Ms O’Connell said: “It was a dreadful mistake.

“In spite of dreadful trouble at home where there was a death threat against him arising out of a family feud — something that was verified as genuine by the authorities — he now finds himself in this position.”