A 42-year-old lorry driver who imported €12m worth of cannabis resin has been jailed for 14 years by the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Patrick Long, with an address at Colliemore Road in Dalkey, Co Dublin and originally from Sadliers Well in Dundrum, Co Tipperary, pleaded guilty to possession of the drug for sale or supply.
The court heard he was stopped by gardaí from the National Drug Unit in May 2003 at Victoria Quay in Dublin.
The drugs were concealed in two pallets in the container. He had collected the drugs in Holland and was transporting them for a Munster drug gang for distribution in the Limerick and Cork areas.
Mr Long admitted making three previous runs, although gardaí believe there were more, and he claimed he was paid €20,000 per run.
Today, Detective Sargent Greg Sheehan and Detective Garda Pat Kerwin from the Drug Unit were in court to see Long jailed for 14 years and described his capture and conviction as a very successful garda operation.
Patrick Long, who is recently married, has no previous convictions and was apparently motivated by greed in getting involved in the drug trade. He is a former member of the army and served in Lebanon in the 1980s.
Judge Desmond Hogan described him in court as a transporter in human misery.
Further proceedings are expected against Long next year when gardaí will move for forfeiture of his assets which are understood to be significant.
