DETECTIVE DENIES ROLE IN DRUGS DELIVERY

A garda detective has told a jury he had no idea that his informant
had a role in the importation of drugs valued at pounds 1 million into
Dublin Airport.

Det Sgt Denis Palmer said he was "horrified" and "dumbfounded" when he
arrived at the airport to meet his informant, Mr Declan Griffin, to
find he had been detained in possession of the drugs.

Det Sgt Palmer told Mr Denis Vaughan Buckley SC, prosecuting, he was
aware of allegations that Mr Griffin had brought the drugs into
Ireland at his request and collusion, but said: "At no time would I
authorise anything of the sort and the first time I became aware of
the importation was at the airport that evening."

Det Sgt Palmer also denied involvement in any pre-arranged "controlled
delivery" which the jury heard was a delivery which would be let
through so that gardai and Customs could catch important criminals
involved.

Mr Griffin (29), Bunratty Road, Coolock, has pleaded not guilty to six
charges of possession of heroin and ecstasy for sale and supply and
importing heroin and ecstasy at Dublin Airport on December 20, 1995.
The drugs consisted of 2,999.4 grams of heroin and 2,056 tablets of
ecstasy, which were in four packages recovered from luggage collected
by the accused at the airport on his return from a trip to Amsterdam.

Det Sgt Palmer said Mr Griffin had called his mobile phone at 6.40
p.m. on December 20th and requested he meet him at the airport arrival
hall. He did not indicate where he was calling from but said it was
"important".

He said he made four calls at the airport to speak to Customs Officer
Mr Seamus Mac An Ridire about the reason for Mr Griffin's delay. No
calls were answered. He stated that Mr Mac An Ridire wanted him to
arrest Mr Griffin but he had no intention of getting involved in
investigating the seizure. He denied ever stating to the Customs
officer "Do I have to?"

The trial continues at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.