GRANDMOTHER ON DRUG CHARGE JAILED

A GRANDMOTHER from South Africa who had cannabis herb worth nearly Euro
20,000 in her luggage at Dublin Airport has been jailed for three years by
Judge Patrick McCartan.

Loretta Ellen Visagie (51), an unemployed secretary, of Chisnor, Point
Road, Durban, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession
of drugs valued in excess of Euro 10,000 for sale or supply on September
10, 2001.

Garda Emily Tormey told Mr Damian Colgan BL, prosecuting, that a "sniffer"
dog identified Visagie's luggage when she arrived in Dublin Airport on a
flight from Johannesburg via Madrid and she was stopped by customs
officials after she came through emigration.

Eight packages of the drug with a street value of Euro 19,250 were located
underneath clothes in her suitcase.

Visagie made a statement at Santry Garda Station, admitting the bags were
hers. She said she made the trip because she needed money to raise her two
young grandchildren.

Erwan Mill Arden SC, for Visagie, said the drugs had a lower value than in
many other cases before the courts and while "nefarious" they were "not the
most nefarious."