Waterford man who was 'cog in drug dealing' jailed for money laundering
The accused had difficulties with drugs and had incurred a drug debt.
A Waterford man will serve two years in prison for a Section 7 money laundering offence.
Gavin Hanrahan (44), of 13 Kilmeadan Apartments, Kilmeadan, Co Waterford, appeared before Judge Eugene O'Kelly at Waterford Circuit Court.
On November 3, 2021, Hanrahan was observed pacing in front of a house on Briot Drive, Templar's Hall shortly after 4pm.
He was seen gaining access into a house, leaving the party seconds later, getting into his Audi vehicle and driving away.
Gardaí stopped him further down the road, where he appeared "nervous and scared".
A Garda witness said: "He (Hanrahan) immediately jumped up out of the car and proceeded to give the officer a 'ball of cash', valued at €7,850."
A further €1,100 was recovered from the car.
Gardaí found on his phone multiple exchanges between Hanrahan and other parties arranging appointments for money collection and drug dealing. The text messages were from the period of October until November 2021.
Cannabis was termed as 'green', cocaine was termed as 'paint' and money was referred to as 'paper'.
Defence counsel Paul W. Hutchinson informed Judge O'Kelly that his client had difficulties with drugs, and had incurred a drug debt while sharing a flat in Kilmeadan and had not had an official job since 2010.
Judge O'Kelly said: "People who are drug mules are essential cogs in drug dealing."
