Woman tells gardai 'I thought it was drugs' after €380k cash found in car's 'hidden compartment'

Exclusive - It is alleged a hidden compartment of ‘a sophisticated nature’ was discovered between the rear seats and the car boot.

A woman charged with transporting €380k of suspected criminal cash in a ‘sophisticated hidden compartment’ is alleged to have told gardai she thought it was drugs, a court hears. Sabrina Carolan (30) appeared before Dundalk District Court on Thursday morning charged with money laundering.

Garda Ryan Ward of Drogheda Garda Station gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution and said the accused made ‘ No Reply’. Outlining the alleged facts, Gda Ward said on Wednesday, October 16 gardai stopped a beige Toyota Avensis car at Junction 9 slip road on the M1 in Co Louth.

A thorough search of the car was conducted and the accused, of Rowan Heights, Drogheda, Co Louth was detained. It is alleged a hidden compartment of ‘a sophisticated nature’ was discovered between the rear seats and the car boot.

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It is alleged cash to the value of €380k vacuum packed was discovered. The accused was then arrested on suspicion of money laundering.

Gda Ward told Judge Stephanie Coggans “the accused made certain admissions.” It is alleged she informed gardai she “was aware of two or three packages, but unaware of the contents". It is also alleged she told Gda Ward: “I thought they were drugs.”

Gda Ward said he cannot say the destination of the money but “it is likely it was for a possible exchange with criminal elements.” He said he has not yet received directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

He said he was objecting to the accused’s bail due to the accused being a flight risk and the seriousness of the charge. Defence solicitor Patrick Goodwin told the court the accused was previously living in Cork but recently arrived back to Drogheda to look after her elderly mother.

He asked the garda if he was aware there was a certain element of duress. However the garda said he cannot prove she was. Mr Goodwin said if the accused is granted bail she will abide by any conditions and that there is no prospect of her being a flight risk.

Judge Coggans said she will give the accused bail on her own bond of €5,000 of which €2,500 should be cash and an independent surety of €5k to be assessed by gardai. Other conditions include to reside at an address in Drogheda, sign on three times a week and surrender her passport.

The accused was remanded in custody with consent to bail to give gardai time to assess the independent surety.

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