Dealer used West Cork ‘honesty box’ system for drugs

A sentencing judge said that the rural tradition of the ‘honesty box’ was subverted by a man who left cannabis in jam jars for customers at 40 locations throughout West Cork. Now the man has been remanded in custody for sentencing for drug dealing.

Detective Garda Shannon Ryan testified that drugs-unit gardaí became aware that cannabis was being stored in a wooded area off a remote country road near Timoleague, Co Cork.

Gideon Cullum, 36, of Fourcuil, Clonakilty, Co Cork, was identified as the suspect. Surveillance was set up in the area at 6pm on September 16, 2024.

Cullum was seen entering the wooded area at Ballinoroher, Timoleague, where the stash of cannabis was concealed.

“He emerged with a rucksack and placed something from the rucksack at three different field gates,” Det Gda Ryan said.

“He was stopped by gardaí. Initially, he tried to make his escape on foot, but he was caught.

“He opened the rucksack and it contained 14 packages of cannabis, weighing half a kilo. He was accompanied back to the three locations by the gates, and packages were recovered at each one.

“He said he had a quantity of cannabis, which was buried in an ammunition box in the wood. He was arrested for having cannabis for sale or supply.

“During interview, he admitted he had been selling since October 2020, during the second covid lockdown.

“He said he received a kilo that day for over €8,000. He had 10 customers, and he placed cannabis on that road, and he sold about four kilos of cannabis a year.

“The kilo was examined by Forensic Science Ireland and it had a value just under €20,000.

“His system was a well-organised operation. He used a different name online. There was a phone number and people would order by WhatsApp. They would receive a location PIN and would go to that rural location. The drugs would be in a lunchbox or a glass jar.

“The person would take the cannabis and leave the cash. There was no interaction: It was click and go.”

Judge Sinead Behan said it was like an honesty box. The detective said the accused told them he had “40 locations right across West Cork”.

Defence barrister Ben Shorten said: “He had certain addiction issues, prior to his arrest in September last year. He has given up drink and drugs, and he has been clear on voluntary urinalysis.”

Judge Behan said: “I am concerned about the organised nature of this: 40 different locations; four kilos was the admission.

“It was anonymous, sophisticated, and used country locations over a prolonged period of time.

“He was using the honesty box, which is part of a beautiful culture in West Cork that he has developed, and was using for drugs.

“I do have an unease about the sophistication of this operation and the general situation giving rise to this over a prolonged period.”

The judge adjourned sentencing until December 15, but remanded him in custody until that date. A probation report was requested by Mr Shorten.

Cullum signed a plea of guilty to an offence from September 16, 2024, at Ballinoroher, Timoleague, where he had cannabis for sale or supply.