Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 4767Possession of controlled drugs (cannabis) · Co. Louth

€1m cannabis case against Drogheda couple dropped in 2019, article reveals

Eduard and Natalia Chiper were arrested and charged in January 2019 after cannabis worth €940,000 was found at their Ballymakenny home. The Director of Public Prosecutions dropped the charge in September 2019 because the prosecution could not prove the couple alone had access to the garage.

  1. Reported
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
7 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatCannabis herb worth €940,000 was found semi-concealed in the garage unit. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe couple were arrested and charged at Drogheda District Court after a search of their home on the Ballymakenny Road in Drogheda. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeThe charge was dropped because the prosecution could not prove the couple had exclusive access to the garage, as four workmen also had access. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe Director of Public Prosecutions dropped the €1m cannabis charge against the couple in September 2019. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe couple settled a later CAB case, allowing their mansion and other assets to be seized. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherCAB officers state in affidavits that Eduard Chiper is believed to be the head of a transnational organised crime group. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe couple are originally from Moldova and were living outside Drogheda, Co Louth. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 3 Nov2024
    Otheririshmirror.ie, first report
    €1m drugs case against glam couple dropped because others had access to garage

    Reveals that the €1m cannabis charge was dropped in September 2019 and that the couple later settled a CAB proceeds case, with their mansion and other assets to be seized.

    accused, Eduard Chiper, 49, male, Moldovan, named, non-irishEduard Chiperaccused, Natalia Chiper, 43, female, Moldovan, named, non-irishNatalia Chiper