Irish drug 'kingpin' caught using ladder to reach rooftop stash hidden in Kinder Eggs jailed

An Irish drugs “kingpin” has been jailed after a “complex garda surveillance operation” discovered he, his sister and associates were storing drugs in Kinder Egg shells under roof tiles on a derelict house.

The court heard when known drug users would call to an address the accused would climb up on an adjacent roof with a step ladder and return a short time later with a deal of heroin, cocaine, cannabis or Alprazolam tablets.

Owen Treacy, aged 28, of St Ita’s Street, St Mary’s Park, Limerick city pleaded guilty to four counts of possession of drugs for sale or supply.

Prosecuting barrister John O’Sullivan, instructed by State solicitor Padraig Mawe, outlined the evidence at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court on Friday with the assistance of Sergeant Paul Bentley.

Mr O’Sullivan said Mr Treacy, who has 139 previous convictions, was involved in “organised and systematic drug dealing”. Judge Colin Daly said Mr Treacy was responsible for a significant drug dealing operation in his own community and it was an “egregious occupation”.

Mr O’Sullivan said gardai were concerned with the supply of harder drugs in St Mary’s Park in 2019.

“Gardai carried out a surveillance operation in the St Mary’s Park area with a focus on 94, 96 and 98 St Munchin’s Street between July 18 and August 2, 2019. Number 96 is owned by the Treacy family. Numbers 94 and 98, which are attached to number 96, were derelict. 

“Gardai observed the accused, his sister Stephanie, who has been before the courts, and associates access the roofs of number 94 and 98 St Munchin’s Street between July 18 and August 2, 2019. They were placing and removing objects under roof tiles,” said Mr O’Sullivan, who referred to CCTV and photos, including of Mr Treacy with a step ladder and on the roof.

The court heard Mr Treacy and associates could be on the roof for as short as 20 seconds after a known drug user called to 96 St Munchin’s Street.

Gardai raided the three addresses on St Munchin’s Street, as well as Mr Treacy’s home address in St Ita’s Street, St Mary’s Park on August 2, 2019.

Cash to the sum €5,828 was found in number 96 St Munchin’s Street. Nothing of evidential value was found in number 94. Mr O’Sullivan said heroin, cocaine, alprazolam tablets and cannabis found in Kinder Egg shells and under roof tiles and floorboards in Number 98 had a total value of €4,821. There were over 100 wraps and bags ready for street distribution.

The prosecuting barrister said gardai found two cheques from a bookmakers for €915 and €7,590 and cash to the value of €17,552 in Mr Treacy’s home address on St Ita’s Street. Mr O’Sullivan said €567 in coins was also seized which he submitted is from drug users begging and tapping on public streets to get funds to buy drugs. Gardai noted five watches - three Rolex, Tommy Hilfiger and Hublot - that weren’t seized. The court heard these were “not genuine” watches.

DNA profiles from plastic wrapping of drugs matched Stephanie Treacy and Owen Treacy.

Mr O’Sullivan said Mr Treacy has no legitimate source of income to assemble such assets and the court heard Mr Treacy has no record of receiving social welfare.

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Marc Thompson Grolimund, barrister for Mr Treacy, said it is accepted his client is a drug dealer but he is being painted as a “kingpin” when it was “not a sophisticated operation”.

“The valuation of drugs is at the lower end. The importation of millions of Euros worth of drugs comes before this court. He made no attempt to conceal his identity and his DNA was found,” said Mr Thompson Grolimund, who added that some drug dealers use others to keep drugs at arm’s length to evade capture.

The barrister said his client has 139 previous convictions but 130 are for road traffic offences and he has no previous for drugs.

Mr Thompson Grolimund said Mr Treacy’s sister Stephanie received a two-year jail sentence for similar offences. In  his plea of mitigation, he said Mr Treacy is in a long-term relationship, has two children and pleaded guilty.

Judge Daly said gardai carried out a “complex surveillance operation”. He said Mr Treacy was responsible for a significant drug dealing operation in his own community and it was an “egregious occupation”.

The judge said the fact that Mr Treacy made no attempt to conceal the operation or to take counter forensic measures doesn’t imply a lack of sophistication. 

“Rather, it indicates a brazen attitude,” said Judge Daly, who imposed a four year jail sentence with the last six months suspended.

 The judge approved applications for cash and cheques to be forfeited to the State and destruction of drugs.

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