An addiction to gambling led an elderly individual named Peter Lam to admit to transporting drugs from Donegal to Dublin. Valued at almost half a million euros, Lam was transporting the goods to clear his debts, a court has learnt. Reportedly, Lam, now 80, would dream about roulette whenever he slept.
The Dublin Circuit Criminal Court was informed that Lam was previously convicted in Letterkenny for growing and possessing cannabis in 2013, a crime for which he was given a three-year suspended sentence. A resident of Lisburn Road, Belfast, Lam admitted to possessing the drugs for selling or supplying at Busáras, Dublin 1, on 11th October 2021.
During the hearing, Garda Kieran Stapleton disclosed that he and his team intercepted an elderly Asian man arriving from Donegal at Busáras carrying two large boxes, based on secretive information. The man confessed to not knowing their contents. Upon inspection, the boxes were discovered to hold MDMA worth €470,982, skilfully concealed in pottery boxes and under children’s toys.
Lam confessed that his gambling problem led him into debt. He was under orders to transport the boxes to a casino where individuals were set to collect them.
As she passed judgment on Monday, Judge Mary O’Malley Costello asserted the significance of society’s protection from this type of unlawful activity. She acknowledged Lam’s age, vulnerabilities and health problems, which included diabetes, asthmatic symptoms and mild to moderate mixed vascular dementia. However, she stressed that Lam had confessed to a serious crime with social repercussions and causing harm to victims through drug trafficking and dealing.
She mentioned that while others were more involved in this crime than Lam, his role as a courier made him a crucial part of the illegal activity. She noted that this was not his first court appearance.
Taking into consideration his willingness to cooperate, acknowledgement of guilt, age, health condition, and limited English proficiency, Judge O’Malley Costello settled on a punishment duration of four years while opting to put the last 10 months on hold. She further stated that he should be acknowledged for the 10 months he had already spent in detention.