Delivery driver brings gardai to his cannabis stash in Limerick

A BRAZILIAN delivery driver, who studied law and has a business degree, was caught by gardai selling drugs in Limerick city and then led them to where he had €6,000 worth of cannabis

Limerick Circuit Court heard the accused is a hard worker with previous employment in hotels like Adare Manor, fast food restaurants like Chicken Hut and companies like Amazon and Viagogo. 

Victor Nascinento Paciullo, aged 32, of Victoria Terrace, South Circular Road, Limerick city pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis for sale or supply, possession of cannabis, money laundering and two charges of having paraphernalia in relation to drug dealing – a weigh scales and mobile phone.

Prosecuting barrister John O’Sullivan, instructed by State Solicitor Padraig Mawe, outlined the evidence with the assistance of Garda Eoin Sheahan.

Mr O’Sullivan said gardai from the Divisional Drugs Unit were on patrol in Limerick city on August 26, 2022.

“They observed a man, in a Honda Civic, acting in a suspicious manner in the Johnsgate area. It is no criticism of residents but it could be said drug dealing transactions have been observed in the area.

“Gardai spoke to the man and there was evidence of drug dealing on his phone. There were messages about selling weed. He accompanied gardai to his apartment where there was cannabis in four glass jars with a street value of €6,190,” said Mr O’Sullivan.

Gardai also seized three deals of cannabis, weighing scales and €5,500 in cash which was “clearly the proceeds of crime”.

Mr O’Sullivan said Mr Paciullo came to Ireland on his own in 2018.

“He worked in Adare Manor, Chicken Hut and at the time of arrest was doing delivery work. He studied law in Brazil and has a business degree,” said Mr O’Sullivan.

Liam Carroll, barrister for Mr Paciullo, said his client took gardai to the drugs after they spoke to him when he was in his car.

“He explained to them he had been a recreational user and got into buying in bulk to distribute to his friends. He was on a meagre income as a delivery driver. It was a means of bolstering his income. During Covid-19 it was difficult for people to travel to get small amounts. He would acquire drugs, distribute them and make a profit. He made admissions to gardai,” said Mr Carroll.

Garda Sheahan confirmed Mr Paciullo was very co-operative.

Mr Carroll said the accused has a serious work ethic, has a business degree, worked in Chicken Hut, Amazon, Viagogo and is now self-employed as a personal trainer. The barrister handed in wage slips to the judge.

Judge Dermot Sheehan asked Garda Sheahan if Mr Paciullo used his delivery driver job to assist in selling drugs. “No. It was just friends,” said Garda Sheahan.

Continuing his mitigation, Mr Carroll said it was cannabis and not a more addictive or damaging substance.

“He has pleaded guilty, brought gardai to his house and showed them where the drugs were, and has no previous convictions. A probation report said he is at a low risk of offending,” said Mr Carroll, who asked Judge Sheehan to give Mr Paciullo a chance and let him continue to be of benefit to society.

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Judge Sheehan said the accused is a worker, referred to the Probation Service’s opinion that he is at a low risk of offending and his co-operation with gardai from the start.

“It does appear he has learned his lesson,” said Judge Sheehan.

The judge imposed a fully suspended two year sentence for the sale or supply of cannabis; concurrent two year suspended sentence for money laundering; concurrent one year suspended for possession of cannabis; concurrent two year suspended sentence for  having paraphernalia in relation to drug dealing, namely a mobile phone. The paraphernalia charge in relation to a weighing scales was taken into consideration.

Judge Sheehan ordered that the money be forfeited to the State and drugs and paraphernalia be destroyed.