Robert Filipuk was described as “perhaps not the mastermind” but neither an “innocent abroad”
A 43-year-old man told gardaí who found amphetamine in a car that it was fish bait, Dundalk Circuit Court has heard.
Robert Filipuk was later apprehended when attempting to board a flight to Poland.
The defendant, with an address at Barcroft Park, Newry, Co. Down, pleaded guilty to possession of €15,000 amphetamine for sale or supply following a vehicle stop in Dundalk.
He was described as “perhaps not the mastermind” but neither an “innocent abroad”, as he was sent to prison for two years and three months.
Gda Lorna Reilly said that on July 9, 2023, a Mercedes car was stopped by gardaí at Seatown Place, Dundalk. There were three men inside.
The defendant was evasive and nervous. There was a smell of cannabis from the car, which was searched. In the back, under the driver’s seat, was a shopping bag containing a vacuum packed bag of white powder.
Mr Filipuk took ownership of what turned out to be 1kg of amphetamine valued €14,977.50.
He had the assistance of an interpreter for a garda interview and told investigators that he believed the powder was fish bait. He had a friend who bought it online and shipped it to Ireland.
He added he planned to use the bait, for which he paid £60 or £70. It was the first time he had ordered this particular fish bait. Garda Reilly said that there was nothing in the car relevant to fishing.
On October 12 last the accused was about to board a flight to his native Poland and was subsequently arrested for an alleged Public Order offence. His bail was revoked four days later.
The defendant, a factory worker in Newry, has 11 previous convictions in Northern Ireland, including two for assault and one for obstruction of a police officer. Seven are traffic related.
He entered this country alone in 2005.
Cross-examined by barrister Cliodhna Breen, instructed by solicitor Niall Breen, Gda Reilly said that Mr Filipuk was “to some degree a small player, perhaps not the mastermind. He probably knew what he was carrying”.
Ms Breen added that her client is single and has been in full-time employment since he arrived in Ireland. His father died when he was young and his mother is in poor health. He wished to apologise.
Judge Dara Hayes remarked that the defendant’s explanation for what was in the car did not have much credibility.
He was acting as a courier but was not an “innocent abroad”. He attempted to leave the jurisdiction and was apprehended getting on a flight to Poland.
A three-year, three-month sentence was imposed, the last 12 months suspended, and backdated to October 16 last. A Section 3 possession charge was taken into consideration.
