Man Admits Cannabis Smuggling Plot After Teenagers Arrested in Thailand
A Cardiff man has admitted conspiring to smuggle cannabis after two 17-year-olds were arrested in Thailand carrying 64kg of the drug in their suitcases.
Patrick O'Driscoll, 30, from Caerau, Cardiff, pleaded guilty at Cardiff Crown Court to conspiring to fraudulently evade a prohibition on the importation of a Class B drug.
The case is linked to allegations that two teenagers were trafficked to Thailand as part of an international drug operation.
The two 17-year-olds were arrested by Thai authorities in June after allegedly being found with 64kg (141lb) of cannabis concealed inside their suitcases as they attempted to travel back to the UK.
O'Driscoll was remanded in custody following Monday's hearing.
Other Defendants Deny Charges
Five other defendants have denied charges connected to the alleged cannabis smuggling operation and accusations of conspiring to arrange travel with a view to exploitation.
One further defendant has yet to enter a plea.
O'Driscoll is due to face four counts of conspiracy to traffic and one count of possessing a firearm at a later hearing, following a request from his solicitor.
Charges against Tremaine Jeanne, 28, of Llanrumney, Cardiff, will also be dealt with at a later date.
Two Men Deny Drug and Exploitation Charges
Levi Coomansing, 20, of Butetown, Cardiff, and Gareth Press, 42, of Ely, Cardiff, both pleaded not guilty to five charges.
These include conspiring to fraudulently evade a prohibition on importing a Class B drug.
Both men also denied four counts of conspiring to arrange the travel of another person with a view to exploitation.
The allegations relate to the two 17-year-olds and an 18-year-old.
Three Women Deny Cannabis Smuggling Allegations
In a separate hearing, three women also denied involvement in the alleged drug operation.
Jessica Sani, 28, of Alway, Newport; Ffion Bowes-Cavanagh Hooley, 24, of Caerau, Cardiff; and Carrie-Anne Dreyer, 39, of Boverton, Llantwit Major, all pleaded not guilty to conspiring to smuggle cannabis.
Dreyer also denied four charges relating to conspiring to arrange the travel of another person with a view to exploitation.
An application was made to dismiss the same exploitation-related charges against Sani.
Hooley was granted an extension to her conditional bail, while Judge Daniel Williams refused a bail application for Sani.
Trial Set for March 2027
O'Driscoll, Jeanne, Coomansing, Press and Dreyer have all been remanded in custody.
A trial involving the defendants is scheduled to begin on 8 March 2027.
The allegations against those who have pleaded not guilty remain matters for the court to determine.
Comments