Heroin dealer only arrived in Galway two days before arrest

A Lithuanian man who was arrested when heroin was found on his person had only arrived in the country two days previously, Galway District Court heard.

Rolandas Roikstys of no fixed abode pleaded guilty to being in possession of two bags of heroin at Liosbán Industrial Estate on September 26 last.

The Court was told that Roikstys was seen putting something under a rock as he walked through the estate,

When he was stopped by a Garda, he began to chew and swallow and refused to spit it out.

Gardaí discovered two bags of heroin and €150 in cash in another bag.

Brian Gilmartin, defending, said his client had admitted to the possession for his own use.

Judge Mary Fahy said if they had been for his own use, he wouldn’t have tried to hide the drugs.

Mr Gilmartin said his client, a 45-year-old married father of three, had been brought to Ireland believing there was work for him and instead was given a phone and expected to do carry out instructions.

Judge Fahy said he was a bit old to have expected a free lunch. He was caught red-handed by the Gardaí.

“It’s frustrating and annoying because this man is being replaced as we speak and there’s probably someone else on a plane to Ireland. It has been an on-going saga here in Galway for the past two years. Of course, those drugs were for sale,” she added as she imposed a nine month prison sentence for the possession and a further six month to run consecutively for the obstruction.

Sergeant Georgina Lohan asked that the drugs be destroyed and that the cash found on the man be forfeited.