Ireland Andrew Pender jailed for 15 years for possession of €9 million in drugs in Dublin
Andrew Pender, a 52-year-old man from Tallaght, Dublin, was stopped driving a Peugeot in rural Co Meath on 19 July 2024, when a search revealed €9,000 in cash, a small quantity of cocaine and a key to a rented shipping container that held a van with a hidden compartment, a stolen garda uniform and almost €9 million worth of cocaine, ketamine and MDMA. He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of drugs for sale or supply and to having two vehicles fitted with hidden compartments in connection with a drug trafficking offence. Judge Orla Crowe sentenced him to 15 years in prison in July 2025 and ordered the forfeiture to the State of the drugs, cash, vehicles and shipping container. Pender was described as managing the entire cell of drug distribution for the Dublin area and was being supplied with very large quantities of drugs by the Waldron gang.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced16 Jul
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Almost €9 million worth of cocaine, ketamine and MDMA was found in two vehicles with hidden compartments and a rented shipping container in rural Co Meath.
- Where
- The Ward, Co Meath.
- When
- 19 July 2024.
- Investigation
- Pender was stopped driving a Peugeot and a search revealed €9,000 in cash, a small quantity of cocaine and a key to the shipping container.
- Charges
- Pender pleaded guilty to possession of drugs for sale or supply and to having two vehicles fitted with a compartment giving rise to the inference he possessed it in connection with a drug trafficking offence.
- In court
- The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
- Sentence
- Judge Orla Crowe imposed a 15-year prison sentence and ordered the forfeiture to the State of the drugs, cash, vehicles and shipping container.
- Other details
- Pender was described as managing the entire cell of drug distribution for the Dublin area and was being supplied with very large quantities of drugs by the Waldron gang, led by David Waldron and his brother Christopher Waldron.
- Pender had three previous convictions for minor road traffic offences and a long-standing addiction to cocaine.
- Pender had been renting the shipping container for some time at a cost of €200 per month.
15 statements extracted from the articles
- whatCocaine worth €4.47 million was found in vehicles and a shipping container in rural Co Meath. (irishtimes.com)
- whatKetamine valued at €2.5 million was found. (irishtimes.com)
- whatMDMA worth more than €700,000 was found. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe key was for a rented shipping container in Meath containing a van with a hidden compartment, a stolen garda uniform, a stab vest and drugs. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationPender was stopped while driving a Peugeot and a search revealed €9,000 in cash, a small quantity of cocaine and a key. (irishtimes.com)
- chargePender pleaded guilty to possession of drugs for sale or supply at The Ward, Co Meath, on 19 July 2024. (irishtimes.com)
- chargePender pleaded guilty to having two vehicles fitted with a compartment giving rise to the inference he possessed it in connection with a drug trafficking offence. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge Crowe acceded to a request to forfeit to the State the drugs, cash, vehicles and shipping container seized. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceJudge Orla Crowe imposed a 15-year prison sentence. (irishtimes.com)
- otherPender had three previous convictions for minor road traffic offences. (irishtimes.com)
- otherPender had a long-standing addiction to cocaine. (irishtimes.com)
- otherPender had been renting the container for some time at a cost of €200 per month. (irishtimes.com)
- otherPender was being supplied with very large quantities of drugs by the Waldron gang, led by David Waldron and his brother Christopher Waldron. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe DCRT, since being set up two years ago, has seized over €48 million worth of drugs and €14 million in cash and gold. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 16 Jul2025Man operating at ‘highest possible level’ of drug-dealing network jailed for 15 years
Sentencing report: 15-year term imposed by Judge Orla Crowe; Pender described as managing the entire cell of drug distribution for the Dublin area; supplied by the Waldron gang; DCRT context provided by Assistant Commissioner Paul Cleary.
convicted, Andrew Pender, 52, male, named, irish (judged from name)Andrew Pender