Navan man supplying drugs had 'all the trappings of an industry'

A 60 year old man who was caught supplying cocaine by gardai on patrol had “all the trapping of an industry” at home with over €13,000 worth of drugs including 12 cannabis plants.

John Peppard (60), from Claremont Estate, Navan was in Trim Circuit Court on 3rd February charged with possession of drugs for sale or supply, cultivation of cannabis plants, money laundering and terrorist financing.

Detective Garda Connor McCluskey told the court on 19th January 2021 Gardai were granted a search warrant in Trim District Court for the accused’s home address. On 6th February at 7pm, before gardai acted upon this warrant, a garda patrol in Commons Road Navan spotted the accused driving a jeep in the direction of Robinstown.

The court heard they stopped the vehicle and during a search found white powder which was later confirmed to be €207 worth of cocaine. Mr Peppard was arrested and the warrant was subsequently executed on his home. During this search €4,000 in cash, cocaine valued at €3,850, €454 worth of cannabis, self sealing bags, and weighing scales were found in his kitchen.

The court heard a further 12 cannabis plants valued at €9,600 was found in a small shed at the back of the home with lighting equipment, an air ventilation unit, and fertiliser.

Mr Peppard admitted during Garda interview to travelling in order to supply someone with cocaine and said the cash was from gambling and insurance money. The accused admitted to being in possession of all drugs found during the search at his home. The total value of the drugs found was €13,911 and the accused entered a guilty plea on 17th January last year. The court heard the case was pushed back due to his mother being unwell and she passed away at Christmas time last year.

Mr Peppard has 17 previous convictions with the most recent being on 20th September 2022 for possession of drugs for sale or supply in Trim District Court.

The court heard he was previously working as an eel fisherman but that form of employment was made illegal by the European Union in 2018 due to eels having a critically endangered status.

Defending barrister Patrick McCarthy told the court the accused has four adult children and is currently on disability allowance receiving medication due to a back issue. Four character references were submitted into court which stated he is always around for people needing a helping hand and he helps the community by making flower boxes.

Defending barrister McCarthy told the court Mr Peppard accepts he has only himself to blame and me made admissions at an early stage. The court heard the accused is offering €2,000 as a token of remorse from his mother’s inheritance to a charity.

BL McCarthy told the court at the time of his offending behaviour he was self medicating on cannabis and was acting as a courier due to a drug debt. His most recent conviction of drug possession was during the same period and since then has not come to garda attention. BL McCarthy told the court he is now taking prescribed medication and is no longer on illegal drugs.

Judge John Martin said “it’s all the trappings of an industry,” noting the equipment that was found alongside the cannabis plants and other illegal substances.

Judge Martin noted that there have been three convictions for possession of drugs since 2006, one of which in 2021 that the judge said didn’t deter him from committing further offences.

The judge also said the accused “manned up” and accepted responsibility while also rehabilitating himself.

Judge Martin said an appropriate sentence would be three and a half years in sentence but adjourned the matter to 28th April for finalisation. A probation report is to be made with the potential for community service and a suspended sentence to be considered. Mr Peppard is to take a drug analysis once every two weeks until that date.