A MAN went on trial this week accused of possessing a large quantity of cannabis in Limerick City.
Emmanuel Moses (51), with an address at Mount Kenneth Place in Limerick City, told a jury before Limerick Circuit Court he was “not guilty” of all three charges against him.
Mr Moses, who the court heard is a native of Nigeria, was arraigned before Judge Tom O’Donnell and a jury of eight women and four men.
Prosecution counsel, John O’Sullivan BL, said Mr Moses is accused of having “taken possession of a sizeable quantity of cannabis in a cardboard box” at Mount Kenneth Place on October 17, 2018.
Mr O’Sullivan said Mr Moses is charged with possession of cannabis for sale or supply at the same address on the same date. The offence carries a mandatory minimum 10-year jail sentence on conviction on indictment unless a court finds exceptional circumstances are involved.
Mr Moses is also charged with one count of possession of cannabis for sale or supply, and with one count of simple possession of cannabis, both at the same location and on the same date.
Mr Moses was arrested in October 2018 after a search was carried out at the Mount Kenneth Place residence, in which an estimated nine kilos of cannabis with a street value in the region of €180,000 was seized.
The prosecution barrister told the jury the case would likely last three days and that they would hear from witnesses including two officers attached to the Revenue Commissioners Customs and Excise Services at Shannon Airport and at An Post’s Mail Centre, Dock Road, Limerick City.
Mr Moses spoke in court only to confirm his plea contesting the charges which were brought against him under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
He was remanded on continuing bail and the trial was adjourned to Wednesday (January 24).
