A GARDA detective has told a jury he had no idea that his informant had a role in the importation of drugs valued at £1 million into Dublin Airport.
Det Sgt Denis Palmer said he was "horrified" and "dumbfounded" when he arrived at the airport to meet his informant, Mr Declan Griffin, to find he had been detained in possession of the drugs.
Det Sgt Palmer told Mr Denis Vaughan Buckley SC, prosecuting, he was aware of allegations that Mr Griffin had brought the drugs into Ireland at his request and collusion, but said: "At no time would I authorise anything of the sort and the first time I became aware of the importation was at the airport that evening."
Det Sgt Palmer also denied involvement in any pre-arranged "controlled delivery" which the jury heard was a delivery which would be let through so that gardai and Customs could catch important criminals involved.
Mr Griffin (29), Bunratty Road, Coolock, has pleaded not guilty to six charges of possession of heroin and ecstasy for sale and supply and importing heroin and ecstasy at Dublin Airport on December 20, 1995. The drugs consisted of 2,999.4 grams of heroin and 2,056 tablets of ecstasy, which were in four packages recovered from luggage collected by the accused at the airport on his return from a trip to Amsterdam.
Det Sgt Palmer said Mr Griffin had called his mobile phone at 6.40 p.m. on December 20th and requested he meet him at the airport arrival hall. He did not indicate where he was calling from but said it was "important".
He said he made four calls at the airport to speak to Customs Officer Mr Seamus Mac An Ridire about the reason for Mr Griffin's delay. No calls were answered. He stated that Mr Mac An Ridire wanted him to arrest Mr Griffin but he had no intention of getting involved in investigating the seizure. He denied ever stating to the Customs officer "Do I have to?"
The trial continues at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.