A Deliveroo driver has been arrested at Dublin Airport after returning to collect his luggage, which contained €24,000 worth of suspected illegal benzodiazepine tablets. Dyonathan Lacerda, a 34-year-old Brazilian national living in Ireland on a student visa, appeared before Dublin District Court on Saturday facing charges of unlawful importation and possession of 11,730 tablets. The accused claimed he brought the tablets from Sao Paolo, Brazil for personal use, but Gardai allege the value of the substances warrants more serious charges.
A food delivery driver was arrested for importing €24,000 worth of illegal tablets when he returned to Dublin Airport to collect his luggage, which arrived a day after his flight landed, a judge has heard. Deliveroo driver Dyonathan Lacerda, 34, a Brazilian national living in Ireland on a student visa, appeared at Dublin District Court on Saturday.
The accused, of Rathmines Road Upper, Dublin 6, is charged with unlawful importation and possession of 11,730 benzodiazepine tablets, and having them for the purpose of sale or supply. Mr Lacerda, who 'made no reply' to the Misuse of Drugs Act charges, has yet to indicate a plea. Objecting to bail, Garda Conor O'Neill said the man's suitcase had been held up and arrived a day late on a flight from the Netherlands. The luggage was stopped at customs and excise in Terminal 1 on Friday. It was alleged that the accused returned to the airport that afternoon. The suitcase was opened in his presence and found to contain the suspected benzodiazepine pills. The court heard he was cautioned and told gardai that he had brought them from Sao Paolo, Brazil for his own use. The garda said more serious charges could be brought due to the alleged value of the tablets. A file is to be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions. The contested bail hearing was also told the accused had Brazilian and Italian passports, one of which has already been seized by gardai. Cross-examined by defence solicitor Edward Bradbury, the garda agreed that the accused did not have prior convictions or a bench warrant history. It could be a year before the tablets were analysed to establish whether they contained active ingredients. Pleading for bail, the defence solicitor said his client had lived in Ireland for three years, worked a limited number of hours as a Deliveroo driver, and would obey 'stringent' conditions. Mr Bradbury said his client could reside with a close family member who lived in Dublin and was present at the hearing. Judge Murphy said she understood the State's concerns, but conditions could address them. She remanded the accused in custody with consent to bail in his bond of €5,000, of which he must lodge €3,000. A €10,000 independent surety must also be approved before his release. He must surrender his second passport, not apply for alternative travel documents, sign on daily at his local Garda station, and remain contactable by phone. The judge directed medical attention for him in custody and granted legal aid. He will appear again next week
DRUGS IMPORTATION DUBLIN AIRPORT DELIVEROO BAIL ACCUSED
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