Two jailed after discovery of cannabis growhouse in Ballinlough

Two men have been sentenced to jail terms for the cultivation of cannabis valued at €200,000 following the discovery of 250 plants at a growhouse in Ballinlough.

Appearing before Judge Kenneth Connolly at Roscommon Circuit Court last week, Vladimiras Jonatls and Darius Milius, both with an address at Clooncan, Ballinlough were each charged with cultivating cannabis without a licence on March 26th, 2023 at that address.

The court heard that as a result of confidential information and further enquiries gardaí had obtained a warrant to search the premises.

At the house there was a strong smell of cannabis herb and entry had to be gained by force as the occupants refused to open the door. They discovered the two defendants. The first floor has been converted into a growhouse with a sophisticated system installed. There were plants at varying degrees of growth.

The two men, Lithuanian nationals, were arrested and brought to Castlerea garda station. Mr Jonatls admitted to leasing the property and had begun growing the cannabis in 2021 and would receive money each month for doing so. He had invited his co-accused to come to Ireland to help look after him as he was sick from Covid. It was further stated that Mr Milius had a more limited involvement with the growhouse. Mr Jonalts would grow the plants, harvest, and dry them and then bring them to other people. He had received a number of payments while also having his rent and food paid for. He has dual nationality, and his brother is fighting in the war in Ukraine.

Garda Gary Murphy giving evidence agreed that Mr Miluis was brought to the house straight on his arrival to Ireland. He thought he was getting construction work but was brought to Roscommon by a man waiting at the airport. The house was visited by two other people every few months, but he had never met them.

He had worked as a fruit and vegetable picker, a locksmith, and sheet metal worker.

Legal counsel for Mr Milius pointed out that his client arrived in Ireland on a ticket organised by Mr Jonatls and that the two had known each other a long time. The garda agreed that he “did not expect a growhouse,” when he arrived. It was also heard that Mr Jonatls had some health issues and Mr Milius was asked to look after him. He had no interest or knowledge on how to grow the plants and he was asked to water them twice a day, counsel outlined.

The garda refuted a claim that he wanted to get papers in order to get a PPS number so he could get a job stating he already had a PPS number.

It was agreed that food was brought to the house, and he had no connection to Ireland apart from Mr Jonatls. Garda Murphy sated that he did not think Mr Milius set up the growhouse.

Counsel for Mr Jonatls said he met a person at the airport, and he had talked about his ill health and was then set up in the house. He asked Mr Milius to come from Lithuania and to bring him some medicine.

He is on three inhalers and oral medications. He gave full admissions to the gardaí. “The war in Ukraine seems to be on his mind. His mother is Ukrainian, and his brother is in the Ukrainian armed forces.” However, Mr Jonatls did not agree that the value of the plants was €200,000.

A plea was entered asking for a suspension of part of any sentence as the men wanted to return to their home country.

Mr Jonatls was sentenced to five years and three months to run from the date of arrest, March 26th with the final 12 months suspended on condition that he volunteers to leave the state within 35 days of his release from prison and not to return within 10 years.

Judge Connelly noted in his sentencing that the defendant did not provide any information on the more significant operators involved, “perhaps he does not know but the court finds that hard to swallow,” he said.

Mr Milius was sentenced to three years with the final nine months suspended also on condition he leave the state after his jail term.

Cathal O’Broanain, Barrister instructed by Solr Kieran Madigan appeared for the DPP.