Thursday 29 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. 9521Drug trafficking · Co. Laois · 4 Feb 2025

Two Polish men jailed for 11 years over Mountmellick cocaine trafficking

On 4 February 2025, members of the Dublin Crime Response Team raided Laois Motor Works on Manor Street, Mountmellick, Co Laois, and found cocaine reported at about €14 million, including 182kg of cocaine and 4kg of cannabis valued at €12,820,000 in a garage leased by Robert Wojtanowicz. Robert Wojtanowicz, 46, and Robert Cup, 46, both Polish, pleaded guilty to unlawfully possessing cocaine and about €100,000 of cannabis for sale or supply, and to related offences. They had been due to face trial at Laois Circuit Court in February but changed their pleas to guilty after being served additional evidence. On 19 May 2026, Judge Keenan Johnson at Mullingar Circuit Court sentenced each man to 12 years and six months, with the final 18 months suspended for five years, and ordered the drugs and cash seized destroyed.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced19 May
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Two men were jailed for 11 years over drug trafficking offences.
  • Gardaí reported cocaine worth about €14 million was recovered from a garage in Co Laois.
Where
The seizure was at Laois Motor Works on Manor Street, Mountmellick, Co Laois.
When
The seizure took place on 4 February 2025.
Investigation
  • Members of the Dublin Crime Response Team raided the garage.
  • Gardaí found 182kg of cocaine and 4kg of cannabis herb in the garage leased by Robert Wojtanowicz, valued at €12,820,000.
  • Five vehicles were especially adapted to conceal drugs.
  • €20,000 in suspected crime proceeds was recovered at Robert Cup's home in Eaton Park, Rathcoole, Dublin.
Charges
  • Robert Wojtanowicz and Robert Cup, both Polish, pleaded guilty to unlawfully possessing cocaine and about €100,000 of cannabis for sale or supply.
  • The men also admitted possessing drugs worth over €13,000, which can carry a mandatory minimum of 10 years, and having implements for use in drug trafficking.
In court
  • The men were due to face trial at Laois Circuit Court in February and changed their pleas to guilty after being served additional evidence.
  • Judge Keenan Johnson sentenced the men at Mullingar Circuit Court on 19 May 2026.
Sentence
  • Each man was given a 12-year, six-month sentence, with the final 18 months suspended for five years.
  • The drugs and cash seized were ordered destroyed.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatTwo men were jailed for 11 years over drug trafficking offences. (rte.ie)
  • whatAbout €14 million of cocaine was recovered from a Co Laois garage. (rte.ie)
  • whereThe seizure was at Laois Motor Works on Manor Street, Mountmellick. (rte.ie)
  • whenThe seizure took place at a garage on 4 February 2025. (rte.ie)
  • investigationGardaí found 182kg of cocaine and 4kg of cannabis herb valued at €12,820,000 in the garage leased by Wojtanowicz. (rte.ie)
  • investigationFive vehicles were especially adapted to conceal drugs. (rte.ie)
  • investigation€20,000 in suspected crime proceeds was recovered at Cup's home in Eaton Park, Rathcoole, Dublin. (rte.ie)
  • chargeThe men pleaded guilty to unlawfully possessing cocaine and about €100,000 of cannabis for sale or supply. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe men changed their pleas to guilty after being served with additional evidence. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe men were sentenced by Judge Keenan Johnson at Mullingar Circuit Court. (rte.ie)
  • sentenceEach man was given a 12-year, six-month sentence. (rte.ie)
  • sentenceThe final 18 months of each sentence was suspended for five years. (rte.ie)
  • sentenceThe drugs and cash seized were ordered destroyed. (rte.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 19 May2026
    Sentencedrte.ie, first report
    Two men jailed for 11 years for drug trafficking offences

    Reports the sentencing of two men at Mullingar Circuit Court for the Laois garage cocaine seizure, with details of the evidence, guilty pleas, sentences and the destruction order.

    convicted, Robert Wojtanowicz, 46, male, Polish, named, non-irishRobert Wojtanowiczconvicted, Robert Cup, 46, male, Polish, named, non-irishRobert Cup