Brazilian man with expired visa caught with €7.5k worth of drugs in Dublin

Tom Tuite

A Brazilian cyclist, whose tourist visa expired six months ago, was caught with more than €7,500 worth of assorted drugs in a Dublin city centre seizure on Friday, a court has heard.

Juan Souza Gomes, 25, provided a false address, resulting in a follow-up search of a home with occupants who "never heard of him", Judge Michele Finan heard.

Mr Gomes, with no fixed address, appeared at a weekend sitting of Dublin District Court.

The contested bail hearing followed his arrest on the evening of June 13th when he was held and later charged with unlawfully possessing cannabis, cocaine, ketamine, LSD, MDMA, and methamphetamines at Litton Lane, Dublin 1.

He is also accused of having the drugs for sale or supply.

Store Street Garda Gerard Hanahoe alleged the accused was "caught red-handed" after being seen conversing with another unknown male, and money was handed over.

The garda approached and tried to detain the second man, but he fled.

Searching Mr Gomes's backpack led to the large quantity of drugs, it was claimed.

Garda Hanahoe said the accused claimed in his interview that "he found the backpack minutes before gardaí arrived".

The officer informed the court that Mr Gomes came to Ireland in 2024 on a temporary tourist visa, which had expired six months ago. He voiced concerns about the man's credibility, fearing he would evade justice if granted bail after he provided a false address.

As a result, gardaí especially obtained a warrant to search that residence, "and the occupants had no idea who he was".

Defence counsel Kevin McCrave, instructed by solicitor Michael French, said his client could now disclose he lived at Frederick Lane, Dublin 1.

However, while agreeing Mr Gomes had the presumption of innocence, the garda countered that the accused had no fixed address or family in the country and was unlawfully in the State.

The barrister said the case could still be dealt with at the District Court level, but the judge said that was speculative.

Mr McCrave, pleading for bail, said the man's partner was in Dublin, and she had his passport.

Judge Finan stressed that the gardaí had to investigate the address mentioned in the exchanges between the defence and Garda Hanahoe.

She set Mr Gomes's bail in his bond of €700 but required a confirmed address and approval of an independent surety who must lodge €7,000 before he can be released.

Once the terms have been met, he must surrender his passport and not use any bicycle, e-bike, motorcycle, or e-scooter.

He was remanded in custody with consent to bail to appear again next week. The charges are under sections 3 and 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act. Mr Gomes, who listened to the proceedings with the help of a translator, was granted legal aid.

Directions from the DPP must be obtained.