Almost £22,000 in cash has been seized from Wade John Fitzpatrick by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Customs officers at Dublin Airport discovered Fitzpatrick carrying the cash in three denominations on October 23rd, 1997, when en route to Spain.
Judge Cyril Kelly said he had no doubts on the evidence that Fitzpatrick (26), of Proudstown Road, Navan, Co Meath, was a drug dealer and had the money for that purpose.
Ms Melanie Greally, for Fitzpatrick, said she had no objection to Judge Kelly's order that the money be seized by the State.
Mr Shane Murphy, for the DPP, said the customs seized the cash because the total was greater than the £5,000 permitted to be exported personally. Fitzpatrick was given a receipt and released by customs officers but was arrested then by gardai under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
Judge Kelly said it was clear Fitzpatrick had been trying to avoid recognised banking procedures for exporting the cash legally. It was also well known to the court that Malaga was a major source of illegal drugs.