The father-of-three was arrested on Friday and charged with possessing cocaine, ketamine, MDMA, amphetamine, and LSD
Criminal Court of Justice, Dublin(Image: EP-stock)
A fraudulent Deliveroo driver from Brazil replied, “Eternal gratitude to God,” after being charged over a seizure of more than €4,000 worth of assorted drugs in Dublin. Father of three, Sandro Costa, from Rio de Janeiro, but with no fixed address in Dublin, arrived on October 1 and was due to leave on December 1, Judge Treasa Kelly heard.
However, he was arrested on Friday and charged with possessing cocaine, ketamine, MDMA, amphetamine, and LSD at Chapelizod Road and with having the drugs for sale or supply. Garda Niamh McGoldrick told Dublin District Court on Saturday that Mr Costa had failed to give an address in Dublin, other than “by the river”, and had been acting as a Deliveroo rider fraudulently by using someone else’s account with the company to perform the work.
She alleged that in addition to having €4,500 worth of drugs, he had €1,695 in cash and tried to flee from gardaí. A friend of the accused came to the hearing to offer a bail address.
He also claimed to know the accused for 25 years and to be the godfather of one of Mr Costa’s children, defence counsel Kevin McCrave told the officer. The garda said that the man had approached her earlier using a different name and claiming to be the defendant’s brother.
She also said the Garda National Immigration Bureau had no record of Mr Costa. The accused had claimed to be on a holiday visa, intending to visit Ireland, the Netherlands, and a friend in Portugal named Diego.
The garda said he had told her that he was an electrician but was laid off and given a sum of money he intended to live off during his travels. Mr McCrave said his client intended to obtain a work visa and enrol in an English language course, and would remain in the State.
However, Judge Kelly refused bail and remanded him in custody to appear again next week. The visibly upset accused has yet to enter a plea and has been granted legal aid.