Dublin man Andrew Pender jailed over €9 million drugs haul

A man described by gardaí (Irish police) as a “major drug dealer” has been sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Andrew Pender, 52, was caught with drugs with an estimated street value of more than €9 million (£7.8m) and more than €1m in cash.

He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on Wednesday to drugs trafficking and money laundering.

The court was told Pender was at the top tier of a Dublin drugs dealing network and was in full control of a multi-million euro cocaine, cannabis, ketamine, ecstasy (MDMA) and a money laundering network.

When he was stopped on 19 July 2024 a small amount of cocaine and more than €9,000 in cash was found hidden in his car.

Keys were also found for a drugs storage unit.

During simultaneous follow-up searches, another €8.9m worth of drugs and more than €1.1m in cash were found in shipping container and a box van in a yard at The Ward in County Dublin.

A stolen garda uniform with PPE equipment, epaulettes and a garda stab vest were also recovered.

The court was told that Pender used a van with a false wall operated by a hydraulic arm, while a car had a false floor under the seats, which were lifted using an electronic switch.

Both vehicles were falsely registered in other people’s names.

Pender also set up shell companies in November 2021 as fronts for his drugs and money laundering operation.

Company branding was put on the truck to move the cash and drugs in Dublin and around the country

Judge Orla Crowe described it as a “highly sophisticated operation”.

She added that the fact an ” entire stolen garda uniform” was found during searches was “chilling”.

“His involvement was highest possible level,” Judge Crowe said.

“The cash was payment for the movement of drugs, there was no other person higher in the network”.

Garda Assistant Commissioner Paul Cleary said Pender was observed personally delivering large quantities of drugs to communities around Dublin, particularly in the north and west of the city.

He said the case was a very good example of how the gardaí targeted drug trafficking at all levels.