Businessman pleads guilty to Ireland’s largest ever crystal meth seizure

A businessman has pleaded guilty to drug importation and complicity with an organized crime gang following the largest crystal meth seizure ever in U.S. history. State.

Nathan McDonnell, aged 44, of Ballyroe, Tralee, County Kerry, appeared before the three-judge, non-jury Special Criminal Court on Monday morning, where he was arraigned on two of five counts of accusation against him.

McDonnell pleaded guilty to importing one or more controlled drugs, namely methylamphetamine, on 16 October 2023 at the Port of Cork, Ringaskiddy, Co Cork, in contravention of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017 to 2019, taken into under section 5 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977.

The father of three also pleaded guilty to the charge that “between October 16, 2023 and February 12, 2024, both dates inclusive, within the State, having knowledge of the existence of an organization criminal, he participated or contributed.” to, activity intended to facilitate, or being reckless as to whether such participation or contribution might, the commission of a serious offense by that criminal organization or any of its members, namely the importation, sale and the supply of controlled drugs.

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McDonnell’s arrest follows a joint operation by gardaí and revenue officers which resulted in the seizure of 564kg of methamphetamine, or crystal meth, with an estimated value of €32.8 million in a container from the port of Cork on February 16.

Subsequent searches in Kerry and Cork led to McDonnell’s arrest.

The State alleges the drugs were imported from Mexico and stored in a garden center before being transported to Cork, where they were intended for export to Australia.

Roisin Lacey SC, on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions, asked the court to schedule McDonnell’s sentencing hearing for the week commencing December 16.

Caroline O’Connell BL, representing the defendant, agreed that this date was acceptable to her client.

Judge Tony Hunt, presiding, sitting with Judge Elma Sheahan and Judge Marie Keane, remanded McDonnell in custody until December 17, when he will be sentenced.

McDonnell’s co-accused, James Leen, also appeared in court this morning.

Brendan Grehan SC, defending Leen, asked for a trial date to be set for his client. Mr Grehan said the “worst case scenario” was the case could take two months.

Judge Hunt set a trial date for October 6, 2025. He adjourned the matter to November 11 for mention.

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Mr Leen, aged 41, of Pilgrim Hill, Kilmorna, Listowel, County Kerry, faces five charges, including one of directing the activities of a criminal organization between February 7, 2023 and February 16 this year. year.

He is also charged with the importation of methylamphetamine, better known as crystal meth, into Cork Port, Ringaskiddy, County Cork, on October 16, 2023.

He is further charged with possession of crystal meth at Ballyseedy Garden Center in Tralee between October 27, 2023 and February 12, 2024, contrary to section 15A and section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 .