GUILTY PLEA | 

Woman (22) caught with €800 of drugs was ‘under duress’ and holding them for partner

The court heard gardaí from the divisional drug unit were on patrol at Aston Quay when they stopped and searched the accused.

Andrew Phelan

Today at 08:00

A young woman caught with €800 worth of cocaine and cannabis in Dublin city centre had been holding the drugs while “under duress” from a partner who was a dealer, a court heard.

Victoria Muzyka (22) had come under the influence of this man when gardaí found her with the drugs, her defence said. Judge Bryan Smyth adjourned the case at Dublin District Court for a probation report.

Muzyka, with an address at Peter’s Place, Dublin 2 pleaded guilty to possession of drugs with intent to supply on January 20 last year.

The court heard gardaí from the divisional drug unit were on patrol at Aston Quay when they stopped and searched the accused.

She had cannabis herb worth €600 and cocaine valued at €200 on her and was arrested and charged. No admissions were made at the time, the court heard. Muzyka had no previous convictions.

Judge Smyth asked why the accused had been searched and a garda sergeant said the location was an area known for drug dealing. “The company she was keeping,” might also have been a factor, her lawyer said.

Muzyka’s partner at the time had been a drug user and seller and she was holding the drugs for this person “while he was going about his business,” the solicitor said.

She had been under duress and under his influence at the time. She had since separated from this man.

Judge Smyth remanded Muzyka on continuing bail to a date in May, for a probation report to be prepared before the case is finalised..