'Enormous error of judgement' - single mum from Canada jailed for smuggling cannabis into Ireland
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that a drugs dog had given an indication on her bags, and when they were searched 30 vacuum packed bags of cannabis herb with a value of €270,460 were found
A woman who was caught bringing over a quarter of a million euro worth of cannabis into the country has been jailed for two and a half years.
Elizabeth Lock (56) was stopped by customs officials at Dublin Airport following her arrival from Toronto, Canada, on March 27 this year.
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that a drugs dog had given an indication on her bags, and when they were searched 30 vacuum packed bags of cannabis herb with a value of €270,460 were found.
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She was arrested and told gardai that a third party had given her the bag in Canada and directed her to hand it over to another party.
Lock, with an address in Ontario, Canada, said she didn't know what was in the bag and believed she was transporting precious metals to Ireland, as part of a scheme to avoid tax. She told gardai she answered a job posting online, was in financial difficulties at the time and was promised $10,000 (approximately €6,600)
She was sent forward from the District Court on signed pleas of guilty for the possession and importation of a controlled drug for sale and supply.
Sentencing her, Judge Orla Crowe said the considerable amount of drugs involved and the fact that Lock carried it out for financial gain were aggravating factors. “This is a very grave offence,” she said, adding drugs have a devastating effect on communities.
The judge took into account a number of mitigating factors including the fact Lock has medical difficulties, has no previous convictions and pleaded guilty to the offence. She handed down a three year sentence and suspended the final six months. She backdated the sentence to when Lock went into custody in March.
During interview, Lock accepted she was reckless, but maintained she didn't know what was in the bag, nor that cannabis is illegal in Ireland.
She has no previous convictions and has been in custody since her arrest.
The investigating garda agreed with Michael Bowman SC, defending, that his client comes across as somewhat naive, but was forthcoming during interview.
It was further accepted that while Lock knew what she was doing wasn't “kosher”, she believed it was about tax avoidance and became upset when told she had been carrying drugs.
The garda agreed Lock is a single mother with a long work history, often working three jobs at times to provide for her now-adult son, who has additional needs but has graduated college.
The court heard Lock had to give up work due to mental health difficulties and found herself in financial difficulty. The garda agreed with Mr Bowman that Lock looked for gig work and told them she was prepared to do what it took to keep her home for her son, including escort work.
Mr Bowman said his client is someone who presents as naive, vulnerable but honest. A letter of apology, references and other documents were handed to the court.
His client acknowledges she made an “enormous error of judgement”. She is doing well in custody and on an enhanced prisoner regime though has some health issues, Mr Bowman said.
Mr Bowman asked the court to consider his client's early guilty pleas, her co-operation with gardai and her personal circumstances.
He noted cannabis is legal in Canada, and Lock would never have never knowingly transported drugs to Ireland.
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