'Incredibly naïve' Mayo drug dealer 'got involved with the wrong people'

Defendant was caught with crystallised MDMA valued at €120,000

A Mayo drug dealer was caught with crystallised MDMA valued at €120,000, a court has heard.

Joshua Ajanovic, aged 26, of Tonragee West, Achill, pleaded guilty to possession of the drug with intent to supply, and money laundering, when he appeared before a sitting of Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court.

He was found in possession of drugs including MDMA, ketamine, cocaine and cannabis with a street value of more than €160,000 but a guilty plea was accepted on the MDMA (ecstasy) charge only.

Sergeant Darran Conlon told the court that An Garda Síochána were alerted about the drugs after they were initially intercepted by officers from Customs and Excise.

As a result, an intelligence-led controlled delivery operation was launched at an address in Chestnut Grove, Castlebar, on June 11, 2024.

Customs officers had intercepted a 2kg package of MDMA with an estimated street value of €120,000.

Sergeant Conlon said local gardaí had never seen crystallised MDMA before but learned it could be consumed in that state by drinking with water or rubbing it on the gums.

“It was like a rock of lava nearly,” Sergeant Conlon told the court.

When the package was delivered to Chestnut Grove, Ajanovic signed for the package in the name of ‘John Walsh’ and took possession of the drugs.

Gardaí entered the property and apprehended Ajanovic.

A search of the property yielded further drug finds including €40,000 worth of ketamine, and quantities of cocaine and cannabis.

Gardaí also seized €1,820 in cash which was believed to be the proceeds of crime. Ajanovic took responsibility for the drugs and cash.

He has a previous conviction for cultivation of cannabis.

The court heard that despite moving to Ireland as a one-year-old he is the subject of a deportation order as he has no permission to be in the State.

He was born in the Philippines but never applied for residency in Ireland, despite being eligible to do so.

The court was told that a troubled family background was part of the reason behind this failure to gain citizenship.

Senior counsel Conor Smyth said his client was raised as a Hare Krishna in Co. Leitrim by his Croatian father and Filipino mother.

However, when he rebelled against the religion he was “voted out of the family” when he turned 18.

The barrister said Ajanovic then became addicted to drugs and began dealing and moving drugs to feed his habit.

Sergeant Conlon stated that “people who accept these packages are rarely the brains behind it."

The garda sergeant said the quantity of drugs involved suggested “some serious people involved."

Giving evidence to the court, Ajanovic said he “got involved with the wrong people” and began using and selling drugs.

“I would say I was incredibly naïve,” he stated.

The defendant said he is currently drug-free.

The court was told Ajanovic is in a relationship with a Mayo woman and employed locally in Hotel Newport.

Sharon Kennedy, operations manager of Hotel Newport, appeared in court to provide a positive testimonial for Ajanovic.

She said he has worked in the hotel for the past 13 months and has been an ‘exemplary employee’.

Ms. Kennedy said Ajanovic disclosed his crimes to her. The hotel only became aware of his residency issues during last week’s court hearing.

“I have only good things to say about Joshua in the last 13 months I have known him. I feel Joshua has done everything in his power to turn his life around,” she stated.

Ms. Kennedy said Ajanovic has made positive contributions to the local community during his time at the hotel.

“It is not very often you get the manager of a local hotel giving positive evidence for a drug dealer. Forgiveness is a great thing,” the judge remarked.

He said he still needs to be convinced if Ajanovic was naïve or had a more sophisticated role in the offending.

“The issue is if this man has totally changed,” the judge commented.

Judge Garavan noted the man’s “most unconventional family life” and his immigration status.

“He is a citizen of nowhere almost. He’s as Irish as anyone but he is not a citizen,” he stated.

The judge said he hopes Ajanovic “proves to be one of the extraordinary ones” who can change his life.

Judge Garavan adjourned sentencing until October 12, 2027.

He ordered Ajanovic to undergo hair follicle testing in January and August next year and requested an updated probation report.

* Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.