Ireland Two Albanian men jailed over cannabis found on M7 at Nenagh
On 6 August 2022, gardaí stopped a black Nissan Juke on the M7 at Lisatunny, outside Nenagh, and found cannabis in a secret boot compartment. The two men stopped were Matian Kroi, 42, and Konstandin Osmenaj, 33, both Albanian, and gardaí also searched an address in Carlow that day as part of Operation Thor. Both men pleaded guilty to two counts under Section 15A of the Misuse of Drugs Act. On 30 October 2023 at Nenagh Circuit Criminal Court, Kroi was sentenced to six years with two and a half years suspended, and Osmenaj to six years with three years suspended, with both sentences backdated to 6 August 2022.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced30 Oct
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Cannabis seized in Carlow weighed 9,997.1g and was valued at €199,942.
- Cannabis seized in Nenagh weighed 4,890.5g and was valued at €97,810.
- Where
- The men were stopped on the M7 outside Nenagh, at Lisatunny.
- When
- The stop took place on 6 August 2022.
- Investigation
- Gardaí stopped a black Nissan Juke at Lisatunny and searched both men.
- Vacuum-sealed bags of cannabis were found in a secret compartment in the boot of the Nissan.
- Gardaí searched an address in Carlow on the same day as part of Operation Thor.
- Cause
- Kroi was said to have brought 15kg of cannabis from England to pay off a drugs debt.
- Charges
- Both men pleaded guilty to two counts under Section 15A of the Misuse of Drugs Act.
- In court
- The men were sentenced at Nenagh Circuit Criminal Court on 30 October 2023.
- Sentence
- Kroi was sentenced to six years in prison, with two and a half years suspended for two years.
- Osmenaj was sentenced to six years in prison, with three years suspended.
- Both sentences were backdated to 6 August 2022, when the men were taken into custody.
- The judge ordered the drugs destroyed and the two vehicles forfeited to the State.
14 statements extracted from the articles
- whatTwo Albanian men were jailed for cannabis valued at just under €300,000. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whatThe Carlow packages weighed 9,997.1g and were valued at €199,942. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whatThe cannabis seized in Nenagh weighed 4,890.5g and was valued at €97,810. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whereThe men were stopped on the M7 outside Nenagh. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whenThe stop took place on 6 August 2022. (tipperarylive.ie)
- causeKroi brought 15kg of cannabis from England to pay off a drugs debt. (tipperarylive.ie)
- investigationGardaí stopped a black Nissan Juke at Lisatunny and searched both men. (tipperarylive.ie)
- investigationA secret compartment in the boot of the Nissan was found to contain vacuum-sealed bags of cannabis. (tipperarylive.ie)
- investigationGardaí in Carlow searched an address on the same day as part of Operation Thor. (tipperarylive.ie)
- chargeBoth men pleaded guilty to two counts under Section 15A of the Misuse of Drugs Act. (tipperarylive.ie)
- sentenceKroi was sentenced to six years in prison, with two and a half years suspended for two years. (tipperarylive.ie)
- sentenceOsmenaj was sentenced to six years in prison, with three years suspended. (tipperarylive.ie)
- sentenceBoth sentences were backdated to 6 August 2022, when the men were taken into custody. (tipperarylive.ie)
- sentenceThe judge ordered the drugs destroyed and the two vehicles forfeited to the State. (tipperarylive.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 30 Oct2023Two 'drug mules' caught with huge amount of cannabis on Tipperary motorway are jailed
Court report on the sentencing of two men for cannabis found in Nenagh and Carlow on 6 August 2022. Both were sentenced to six years in prison, with part suspended, and the sentences were backdated to the date they were taken into custody.
convicted, Matian Kroi, 42, male, Albanian, named, non-irishMatian Kroiconvicted, Konstandin Osmenaj, 33, male, Albanian, named, non-irishKonstandin Osmenaj