Uncooperative Cork city drug dealer lands jail term

Drugs unit gardaí intercepted a car arriving in Cork city with a consignment of heroin and crack cocaine. The driver, who did not co-operate with the investigation, was jailed for eight years.

The man was sentenced for dealing heroin and crack cocaine in Cork city. Judge Dermot Sheehan imposed a sentence of 10 years, with the last two years suspended, at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

The most serious charge brought by Detective Garda Linda O’Keeffe against Osarodion Alex Aghafekohian of Moran’s Terrace, Drogheda, Co Louth, states that on March 31, 2023, at Redemption Rd, Cork, he had diamorphine (heroin) at a time when its street value exceeded €13,000. That is the threshold figure for a 10-year minimum sentence, unless the judge finds there are exceptional circumstances.

Aghafekohian pleaded guilty to that charge in respect of heroin when he was arraigned at Cork Circuit Criminal Court. He also admitted having cocaine for sale or supply to others on the same date.

Tom Creed, defending, said the 28-year-old had no previous convictions but that at the time of the offences more than two years ago, he did have difficulties with drugs. He stressed the plea of guilty entered by the accused which saved the State the time and expense of a trial by judge and jury.

Det Garda O’Keeffe testified that on March 31, 2023, gardaí from the divisional drugs unit of Cork city received confidential information that a white BMW 320 was travelling to Cork city to deliver a quantity of diamorphine and crack cocaine.

Det Garda O’Keeffe said: “After 6pm, this car was observed on Redemption Rd, Cork, with the male driver and one male front seat passenger. I moved to intercept this vehicle, and pulled an unmarked patrol car in front and facing directly at the white BMW with the blue lights and sirens activated.

“The frontseat passenger picked up a clear plastic bag and exited the BMW, attempting to run away with the drugs. He was apprehended by gardaí. The driver was Osarodion Aghafekohian.”

The package contained of 433g of diamorphine with a street value of €60,642, together with 103g of crack cocaine with a €7,252 value.

The driver was arrested at 6.25pm that day on Redemption Rd and conveyed to Gurranabraher Garda Station, where he was interviewed on three occasions. In all of these interviews, he was uncooperative with gardaí and attempted to distance himself from the incident, Det Garda O’Keeffe said.

When his phone was forensically analysed it contained tick lists and location data, including eircodes of known drug users.