Caught with 18 ounces of weed

DaDeadly1

Ok i hope i have this in the right place. I have a bit of a dilemma. My 20 year old brother was caught the other night with 18 ounces of weed. He was suppose to hide it for someone but the gaurds caught him, he was walking down the road with it at 11 o clock at night. I know he doesnt deal drugs, but just smokes the stuff. Anyway he was brought into the garda station etc, Seemingly he is been brought to court for possesion and intent to sell. He has no other convictions and has never been in trouble with the gaurds before, Just a once off silly mistake, He was gonna be givin 200 euro to do the deed, and as he doesnt work at the mo i can understand why he would do it, it being xmas and all. I know what he did was wrong and stupid and its bringin a dark cloud over the family home now for the xmas. Does anyone out there know what he can expect to happen when he does eventually go to court over it. Bare in mind the clean rap sheet before this mistake, would much appreciate the replies.

lar203

thats alot of smoke , fine to 3 months in the big house

DaDeadly1

how much money is an ounce?

neil_hosey

DaDeadly1 wrote: »

how much money is an ounce?

an ounce is 250 odd quid.. so your talking the guts of 4 or 5 grands worth. Quite alot.

You need to explain to your brother dealing is a mugs game, alot of small time dealers get caught and its never worth the hassle.

mcmoustache

DaDeadly1 wrote: »

how much money is an ounce?

250 to 300 quid if sold in ounces. More if sold by the gram.

DaDeadly1

and will the garda value the same as the street value?

Jagle

you can imageine the gardai who have no idea on the cost of weed, if its normal crap quaility your talking 250-350 an oz, good good stuff up to 450. i reckon they will value it close to 10k and your brother unless very lucky and lawyered up will be looking at big problems

charlemont

The Gardaí who busted him should be ashamed of themselves, Are you sure your brother wasn't set up ? It seems strange that he would get caught the only time he was attempting to hide it. TBH I'v seen people get lectures off judges over weed while heroin junkies get a slap on the wrist.

godtabh

charlemont wrote: »

The Gardaí who busted him should be ashamed of themselves.

why?

Sunnyisland

18 oz that be a half a kilo,Most likely and stand to be corrected here, The guards will get it tested and if it has a high potency like blue cheese or amnesia the value could be put at 6/7 thousand and yes the guards value it at street value but all aspects of the person charged will be taken into consideration including family.his friends and whether he is only just a smoker and being used as the Guards hear that story everyday.The main thing for your brother is to have a good solicitor and to work with the courts and hopefully he will get a suspended sentence and probation etc .

MagicSean

charlemont wrote: »

The Gardaí who busted him should be ashamed of themselves,

why?

mathepac

DaDeadly1 wrote: »

... I know he doesnt deal drugs, ... He was gonna be givin 200 euro to do the deed, ...

The bad news is that if he tells that story he will be admitting to dealing and will likely be for the high jump.

IME the Guards will always value seizures at the maximum street value in order to make their bosses "war on drugs" statistics look more impressive. 18 ounces in €20 deals is a bit number. The news is not good for your brother I'm afraid.

I find it hard to believe that he was caught in a random search. He was stopped either because they had "intelligence" or they had him under observation.

charlemont

Jagle wrote: »

you can imageine the gardai who have no idea on the cost of weed, if its normal crap quaility your talking 250-350 an oz, good good stuff up to 450. i reckon they will value it close to 10k and your brother unless very lucky and lawyered up will be looking at big problems

They value it at the highest cost, I was caught with a half ounce of Hash and they valued it at €80 whereas it only cost me €60. That's like dividing the half into 4 twenty spots. BTW I got ten days for it whereas a guy caught with child porn walked !!!

del88

Good lawyer will see him walk with a slap on the hand....might have to pay off who ever he was minding it for, so keep that in mind....we all make mistakes

MagicSean

charlemont wrote: »

They value it at the highest cost, I was caught with a half ounce of Hash and they valued it at €80 whereas it only cost me €60. That's like dividing the half into 4 twenty spots. BTW I got ten days for it whereas a guy caught with child porn walked !!!

It#s generally valued at the price you would sell it on for.

ThePower11

charlemont wrote: »

They value it at the highest cost, I was caught with a half ounce of Hash and they valued it at €80 whereas it only cost me €60. That's like dividing the half into 4 twenty spots. BTW I got ten days for it whereas a guy caught with child porn walked !!!

You must have had previous if they gave you ten days imprisonment?

mathepac

realies wrote: »

18 oz that be a half a kilo ...

Near enough 35 and a bit ozs to the kilo. Half a key is a lot to be carrying around "casually", so to speak.

charlemont

mathepac wrote: »

The bad news is that if he tells that story he will be admitting to dealing and will likely be for the high jump.

IME the Guards will always value seizures at the maximum street value in order to make their bosses "war on drugs" statistics look more impressive. 18 ounces in €20 deals is a bit number. The news is not good for your brother I'm afraid.

I find it hard to believe that he was caught in a random search. He was stopped either because they had "intelligence" or they had him under observation.

That's exactly what probably happened so someone is getting away with another possibly serious crime by ratting your brother, That's how the game is played unfortunately.

charlemont

ThePower11 wrote: »

You must have had previous if they gave you ten days imprisonment?

Yes I have and it was the same judge who I appeared before for cannabis in his former court district, Judge Patwell ,I must be the only person who didn't hate him I think he was a fair man depending on what mood he was in although he needs to tune into the real world a bit better.

Auvers

sweet lord that's

510 grams

and the Garda more or less say 10 quid a gram for weed

equals 5k more or less or as the Garda put it "street value"

Get a good solicitor is all I can say

(feel sorry for your brother)

charlemont

MagicSean wrote: »

It#s generally valued at the price you would sell it on for.

Cool I get it now.

badgerbaiter

this was a seriously stupid move on your brothers side. and for 200 is jus a further insult to his intelligence. whether or not he got set up is irrelevent as the end result is the same. i dont think your brother is telling you the ful story either. 18oz is what in around a half k? so most definately intent. there will be time. 18 months bt wil prob serve 12. and he wil be heavily pressured to stick in who he got it off.
tbh i would have brought this up with a soliciter, not boards

clonadlad

Auvers wrote: »

sweet lord that's

510 grams

and the Garda more or less say 10 quid a gram for weed

equals 5k more or less or as the Garda put it "street value"

Get a good solicitor is all I can say

(feel sorry for your brother)

€10 a gram is a very low estimate. If it's serious stuff like amnesia haze, that can sell for €50 for 2 grams at the moment.

mattjack

Two offences....Possession and intent to supply.For possession a fine of up to 1270 euros I think on first offence,.... Intent to sell/supply fine and possibly up to a year in jail,though a lesser sentence and/or fine is likely.His age,previous or lack of , how he behaves with Gardai will effect him too.
The gardai have a way of valuing seized drugs...but for the life of me I can't remember it.
Your brother needs proper legal advice and maybe register with Fas ETC, join something in the community ,do something constructive before he appears in court.

DaDeadly1

thanks for the comments guys, he will be getting in touch with a solicitor after the xmas and iv told him already to start doing constructive stuff soon and make a few charitable donations etc, the stress of it all at this time! ya live and learn i suppose

Jagle

DaDeadly1 wrote: »

thanks for the comments guys, he will be getting in touch with a solicitor after the xmas and iv told him already to start doing constructive stuff soon and make a few charitable donations etc, the stress of it all at this time! ya live and learn i suppose

donations now is a waste of time, better to donate to the court poor on the day no?


and again your brother is gonna be done for supply. get the best help you can afford cos he will be fcuked later in life with a drug conviction if he ever wants to move (visa's america/aus)

Delancey

Your brother has really no defence against a charge of supplying - really impossible to argue that quantity is for personal use , he is in the sh1t on this one.

Chuck Stone

Tell him to book into a rehab clinic immediately and say he only got involved because he has a drug problem and he has to pay off a debt because evil drug dealers led him astray. He needs to try to paint himself as the victim.

When he goes to the judge on the big day he will have cleaned up his act and gotten his life back on track and be looking at going back to school/college etc etc etc.

Pin_Cushion

Yeah this thing absolutely won't just go away and I'd say this is a fair bit too big for a slap on the wrist. Like other posters have said, get him to sign up for some volunteering work as he'll have a bit of time before it goes to court and will work heavily in his favour. Also get a solicitor that you think will be good. Unfortunately this is very much the prison sentence end of things.

ResearchWill

charlemont wrote: »

Yes I have and it was the same judge who I appeared before for cannabis in his former court district, Judge Patwell ,I must be the only person who didn't hate him I think he was a fair man depending on what mood he was in although he needs to tune into the real world a bit better.

Patwell is now retired, why did you not appeal. CC would not have given time.

OP tell you brother get good solicitor, be willing to appeal, if he is lucky and the guards go in DC. If on indictment make sure his barrister has good results in drugs area. If he does all the right things ie get regular urine tests, has done charity work in the past and continues to do so, has a job or good chances of getting a job he may get a good result.

I have seen probation of offenders for 3k of coke, but very rare.

coolhandspan

some good advice , and some crazy comments also. herb will be given value of 12 euro a gram. doesnt matter about quality. brother needs to book into rehab immediatley and actively seek work if unemployed. should avoid prison if a few pound is put together for charity, for court hearing date. Best of luck.

p.s. if brother is arrested again for same thing, he will get massive prison time.

hope this helps

DaDeadly1

thanks guys ur comments are much appreciated, just cant believe he got himself into such a mess. we are a regular decent family like most people just unfortunate to have made a stupid mistake. ill be gettin him to apply to some courses and i will be making sure he doesnt smoke weed now. he isnt a trouble maker at all, and wouldnt even be a big smoker of the stuff. young and dumb as they say.

Chuck Stone

DaDeadly1 wrote: »

thanks guys ur comments are much appreciated, just cant believe he got himself into such a mess. we are a regular decent family like most people just unfortunate to have made a stupid mistake. ill be gettin him to apply to some courses and i will be making sure he doesnt smoke weed now. he isnt a trouble maker at all, and wouldnt even be a big smoker of the stuff. young and dumb as they say.

Had a similar experience with a former friend a long time ago and the stupid fucker ignored all the advice he was given and kept doing what he was doing and hanging around with the people he was doing stuff for. When it came to his date he got a very harsh sentence.

We kinda lost touch with each other when he got locked up and haven't seen nor spoke to each other since.

FreudianSlippers

Chuck Stone wrote: »

Tell him to book into a rehab clinic immediately and say he only got involved because he has a drug problem and he has to pay off a debt because evil drug dealers led him astray. He needs to try to paint himself as the victim.

When he goes to the judge on the big day he will have cleaned up his act and gotten his life back on track and be looking at going back to school/college etc etc etc.

Are you suggesting that this person lies?

charlemont

FreudianSlippers wrote: »

Are you suggesting that this person lies?

Are you suggesting that the illegal status of Cannabis isn't based on lies ?

OK Your not, But the legal profession and the Gardaí are the liars in all of this.
Both have too much riding on the continued enforcement of drug laws.

tayto lover

charlemont wrote: »

Are you suggesting that the illegal status of Cannabis isn't based on lies ?

OK Your not, But the legal profession and the Gardaí are the liars in all of this.
Both have too much riding on the continued enforcement of drug laws.

You must be smoking some strong stuff now.

charlemont

tayto lover wrote: »

You must be smoking some strong stuff now.

And why would you say that ?

Am I supposed to agree with what clearly is an industry based on making criminals out of people involved with a relatively harmless product.

FreudianSlippers

charlemont wrote: »

tayto lover wrote: »

You must be smoking some strong stuff now.

And why would you say that ?

Am I supposed to agree with what clearly is an industry based on making criminals out of people involved with a relatively harmless product.

What about non-criminal practitioners?

Zambia

charlemont wrote: »

Am I supposed to agree with what clearly is an industry based on making criminals out of people involved with a relatively harmless product.

Maybe off topic but you could not possibly have the correct qualifications to make that statement. Just because you or your mates are fine from it, that does not make it harmless.

baldbear

badgerbaiter wrote: »

this was a seriously stupid move on your brothers side. and for 200 is jus a further insult to his intelligence. whether or not he got set up is irrelevent as the end result is the same. i dont think your brother is telling you the ful story either. 18oz is what in around a half k? so most definately intent. there will be time. 18 months bt wil prob serve 12. and he wil be heavily pressured to stick in who he got it off.
tbh i would have brought this up with a soliciter, not boards

18 months?? No way...Doubtful he will do any time. If he has no previous form and the judge sees him for the fool he is, a young silly man then i'm guessing a suspended sentence.

Heres a case in Limerick with a young guy who was caught in a sticky situation and only did 3 days in jail. And a 3 year suspended sentence.

http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/local/limerickman_caught_bagging_weed_was_told_to_do_it_by_a_bad_man_1_2369010

tayto lover

baldbear wrote: »

18 months?? No way...Doubtful he will do any time. If he has no previous form and the judge sees him for the fool he is, a young silly man then i'm guessing a suspended sentence.

Heres a case in Limerick with a young guy who was caught in a sticky situation and only did 3 days in jail. And a 3 year suspended sentence.

http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/local/limerickman_caught_bagging_weed_was_told_to_do_it_by_a_bad_man_1_2369010

It doesn't always turn out that way so its wrong to give that impression. I hope the young lad gets off and learns his lesson though. BUT here's a piece from the Herald.

A GRIEVING father who started smoking cannabis after his son was murdered has been jailed for eight months in prison.

Father-of-three Patrick Byrne (59) admitted before Dublin District Court to possession of cannabis resin as well as having the drug for sale or supply. The cannabis was found after gardai obtained a warrant and searched Byrne's home at Lower Oriel Street, Dublin 1, on August 31 last year. The court heard the street value of the cannabis was €1,450

charlemont

Zambia wrote: »

Maybe off topic but you could not possibly have the correct qualifications to make that statement. Just because you or your mates are fine from it, that does not make it harmless.

I'm in a better condition from Cannabis then I ever was from alcohol but your post smacks of the same lie that has been repeated around in circles for the last few decades. I suspect you are one the people who benefits from its illegal status. Nothing in life is completely harmless notice how I used the word relatively.

tayto lover

charlemont wrote: »

I'm in a better condition from Cannabis then I ever was from alcohol but your post smacks of the same lie that has been repeated around in circles for the last few decades. I suspect you are one the people who benefits from its illegal status. Nothing in life is completely harmless notice how I used the word relatively.

Not taking issue with what you say about your own condition but I know a few lads who are very paranoid through smoking cannabis. One is in a bad way at the moment.

PCPhoto

OP - your brother is more than likely going to be charged with possession (section 15) and possession with intent to sell or distribute.

to be honest you need to get your brother admit his involvement with drugs - its fair to say that he must be linked or in debt enough to know that whoever gave him the drugs trusted him enough to hold such an amount.

OP - also just a note for you .... after your brother faces court its likely that your brother will still be in debt to the dealer who gave him the stuff to hold....its very important for him to loose contact with his "friends" - his drug debt could get him into further trouble in the future.... you may need to keep a close eye on him or get him away from his current life.

mattjack

charlemont wrote: »

I'm in a better condition from Cannabis then I ever was from alcohol but your post smacks of the same lie that has been repeated around in circles for the last few decades. I suspect you are one the people who benefits from its illegal status. Nothing in life is completely harmless notice how I used the word relatively.

Nobody can argue with you.Don't know how much you smoke or drink.I'd agree with you in the sense alcohol is more dangerous when abused chronically , as for the poster talking about paronia ,the risk nowadays I think is if you are susceptible to schizophrenia or maybe have pre existing condition you could be at risk.

charlemont

tayto lover wrote: »

Not taking issue with what you say about your own condition but I know a few lads who are very paranoid through smoking cannabis. One is in a bad way at the moment.

Yes I have no doubt you are speaking the truth but there are several varieties and strengths of it, Some of the weed is very strong and is capable of messing with someone's head, Alcohol as you well know also has its differing varieties and strengths.

FreudianSlippers

charlemont wrote: »

I suspect you are one the people who benefits from its illegal status. Nothing in life is completely harmless notice how I used the word relatively.

Unless you can explain who is benefiting from the illegal status (specifically) and how they are purported to benefit from it then you're talking nonsense.
This isn't a forum where you just get to spout out whatever comes to your mind and we all just mindlessly go along with it; if you have a point to make, then make it legitimately.

charlemont wrote: »

Yes I have no doubt you are speaking the truth but there are several varieties and strengths of it, Some of the weed is very strong and is capable of messing with someone's head, Alcohol as you well know also has its differing varieties and strengths.

There is a mountain of scientific evidence that would disagree with you. Even the evidence that supports cannabis being less physically and socially destructive than alcohol and tobacco agree that it does not mean that it is not dangerous and/or that it does not mean that it would be any less physically and socially destructive than alcohol and tobacco where it was used excessively in the mainstream.

I'm not a user, but I would support a legal level of possession for personal use. I think the tax benefit would far outweigh the potential pitfalls.

Chuck Stone

FreudianSlippers wrote: »

Are you suggesting that this person lies?

Nope.

FreudianSlippers wrote: »

Unless you can explain who is benefiting from the illegal status (specifically) and how they are purported to benefit from it then you're talking nonsense.

Customs officials
Probation officers
Gardai
Solicitors
Judges
Prison officers.

There is a mountain of scientific evidence that would disagree with you. Even the evidence that supports cannabis being less physically and socially destructive than alcohol and tobacco agree that it does not mean that it is not dangerous and/or that it does not mean that it would be any less physically and socially destructive than alcohol and tobacco where it was used excessively in the mainstream.

You're conflating two issues. Drug abuse and drug use are two completely different things.

Abuse of any drug is a problem.

I'm not a user, but I would support a legal level of possession for personal use. I think the tax benefit would far outweigh the potential pitfalls.

Why? Is that not just hypocrisy? I say legalize it.

The illegality of weed is by far the most harmful aspect of it. Take for example this young fella having been caught with weed - it's illegality is going to cause this guy lifelong problems.

charlemont

FreudianSlippers wrote: »

Unless you can explain who is benefiting from the illegal status (specifically) and how they are purported to benefit from it then you're talking nonsense.
This isn't a forum where you just get to spout out whatever comes to your mind and we all just mindlessly go along with it; if you have a point to make, then make it legitimately.


There is a mountain of scientific evidence that would disagree with you. Even the evidence that supports cannabis being less physically and socially destructive than alcohol and tobacco agree that it does not mean that it is not dangerous and/or that it does not mean that it would be any less physically and socially destructive than alcohol and tobacco where it was used excessively in the mainstream.

I'm not a user, but I would support a legal level of possession for personal use. I think the tax benefit would far outweigh the potential pitfalls.

Unless you can explain who is benefiting from the illegal status (specifically) and how they are purported to benefit from it then you're talking nonsense.

So your not capable of realising how people benefit from it, Well then I think you should take the blinkers off, Cannabis seizures are big business for the Gardaí, And various solicitors I know have discussed the business they garner from very small possession offences with me. And this is so obvious up and down the country the fact that you could not see this is astonishing really.
Vast majority of all drug offences in our courts are for personal possession of cannabis. Lately we have a big surge in "Grow houses" being raided, Easy work really.

This isn't a forum where you just get to spout out whatever comes to your mind and we all just mindlessly go along with it; if you have a point to make, then make it legitimately.

So typing into a public forum is not a legitimate way to voice my opinion, Well somebody thinks he is a dictator. Am I supposed to sit back and say nothing when I see something that I think is wrong ? I haven't offended anyone on here and because I disagree with some posters here doesn't mean my opinion should be thought of as nonsense either.

There is a mountain of scientific evidence that would disagree with you. Even the evidence that supports cannabis being less physically and socially destructive than alcohol and tobacco agree that it does not mean that it is not dangerous and/or that it does not mean that it would be any less physically and socially destructive than alcohol and tobacco where it was used excessively in the mainstream.

I can't completely disagree with this but its not a black and white case there are several issues at play here, I'm sure medical companies would have an interest in keeping it illegal and anybody doing reports for them would know who butters their bread too.

I'm not a user, but I would support a legal level of possession for personal use. I think the tax benefit would far outweigh the potential pitfalls.

The Holy Joe's would have a field day if this actually happened, Unfortunately I can't see it being legal here as the lies and hysteria created would be too strong for our weak politicians.

Chuck Stone

FreudianSlippers wrote: »

I think the tax benefit would far outweigh the potential pitfalls.

I have no idea how you'd tax something that people could grow in a pot on the windowsill.

Perhaps another reason why it's unlikely to be decriminalized.

FreudianSlippers

charlemont wrote: »

Unless you can explain who is benefiting from the illegal status (specifically) and how they are purported to benefit from it then you're talking nonsense.

So your not capable of realising how people benefit from it, Well then I think you should take the blinkers off, Cannabis seizures are big business for the Gardaí, And various solicitors I know have discussed the business they garner from very small possession offences with me. And this is so obvious up and down the country the fact that you could not see this is astonishing really.
Vast majority of all drug offences in our courts are for personal possession of cannabis. Lately we have a big surge in "Grow houses" being raided, Easy work really.

I didn't say I wasn't capable of doing anything. I said that you cannot make a blanket statement without explaining it. This isn't After Hours.

This isn't a forum where you just get to spout out whatever comes to your mind and we all just mindlessly go along with it; if you have a point to make, then make it legitimately.

So typing into a public forum is not a legitimate way to voice my opinion, Well somebody thinks he is a dictator.

Ah well, there's your first mistake. There are rules for posting here; one of those rules being that you don't make unsupported or blanket statements without explaining them. I'm here to enforce those rules... you made a blanket statement with zero substance and zero support. I'm saying back it up and you clearly cannot.

Am I supposed to sit back and say nothing when I see something that I think is wrong ? I haven't offended anyone on here and because I disagree with some posters here doesn't mean my opinion should be thought of as nonsense either. [/B]

You can say what you want, but it must be legitimate, supported and explained thoroughly. "Down with this sort of thing" is not going to cut it here.

There is a mountain of scientific evidence that would disagree with you. Even the evidence that supports cannabis being less physically and socially destructive than alcohol and tobacco agree that it does not mean that it is not dangerous and/or that it does not mean that it would be any less physically and socially destructive than alcohol and tobacco where it was used excessively in the mainstream.

I can't completely disagree with this but its not a black and white case there are several issues at play here, I'm sure medical companies would have an interest in keeping it illegal and anybody doing reports for them would know who butters their bread too.

How do "medical companies" profit from illegality of cannabis?

I'm not a user, but I would support a legal level of possession for personal use. I think the tax benefit would far outweigh the potential pitfalls.

The Holy Joe's would have a field day if this actually happened, Unfortunately I can't see it being legal here as the lies and hysteria created would be too strong for our weak politicians.

Here you are at it again. How would "the holy joe's" have a "field day" if that happened?
Do you not see how your posts are so vague that they are ridiculous?