A POLISH man “customised” two houses to grow cannabis before Gardai discovered he had hundreds of thosuands of euro worth of the drugs ready for sale, a court has heard.
Gregorz Jacniak (30) with and address at 24, Market Court, Newcastle West was arrested after Gardai were alerted to certain activities ongoing at the houses in Castletown Conyers and at Arra View, Newcastle West.
Limerick Circuit Court heard that when Garda Claire O’Halloran called to the house at Coolagown, Castletown Conyers, they found bagged cannabis ready for sale and cannabis plants being cultivate with a total value of almost €210,000.
The 30-year-old pleaded guilty to charges of cultivating cannabis plants and having the drug for sale or supply.
Garda Claire Hanrahan said as a result of information they put the house at Coolagown, Castletown Conyers, under surveillance. The windows had been blocked out and the house was rigged up with fans and lighting to promote the cultivation of cannabis.
The scent of cannabis could be got when they arrived.
The accused, a qualified mechanice, had a botanic knowledge on how to cultivate cannabis, said Garda Hanrahan.
During the raid on the house in Castletown Conyers, gardai found a freezer that had been “sophisticatedly customised” to hold the bagged cannabis.
More cannabis was found in a the accused’s car ready for distribution and sale. Weighing scale were also found.
In total, 254 plants were found in various stages of growth.
Defenec Counsel Mark Nicholas said the accused got into financial difficult and embarked on cannabis cultivation to deal with these problems.
As a result of what had happened, his family had returned to Poland.
Jacniak was remanded in custody for sentencing in July.
GARDAI opposed the bail applications of the two Polish nationals arrested in connection with the seizure earlier this month of an estimated €480,000 worth of cannabis plants and cannabis herb in West Limerick.
