€3,966 worth of cocaine was for 'personal use', man tells court
In June of 2024, White’s residence was identified and searched, following an intelligence driven Garda operation.
A man appeared in Waterford Circuit Court last week in relation to the seizure of almost €4,000 worth of cocaine and €1,200 in cash from his home at St. Martin’s Avenue, Waterford city.
Declan White pleaded guilty to a Section 15 drug dealing count and a Section 7 money laundering count.
In June of 2024, White’s residence was identified and searched, following an intelligence driven Garda operation.
€3,966 worth of cocaine was found in the premises, along with a weighing scales and small bags.
Also seized was a quantity of benzocaine, a common cocaine mixing agent.
€1,200 in cash was found in the premises. It was concluded that this cash was the proceeds of drug dealing.
White was subsequently interviewed by gardaí.
He made admissions to owning the cocaine, but said it was for personal use and not to sell.
During last week’s court hearing, the investigating garda said that the quantity of cocaine seized was “way in excess of personal use”.
The garda also outlined that there was no evidence of the man possessing any significant wealth or assets, and that he would be considered in the low to mid-level of drug dealing severity.
White has two previous convictions, both for drink driving in 2010 and 2011.
White’s defence counsel said that he had expressed remorse and regret, and that he was now “keen to live a law abiding life”.
In sentencing the man, Judge Eugene O’Kelly took into account that White entered a very early guilty plea.
For the drug dealing charge, he received a sentence of two years and three months, which was suspended in full.
For the money laundering charge, he received 200 hours of community service in lieu of an 18 month prison sentence.
He was ordered to attend a local drug service to address his substance misuse issues.
