Shamed Joshua Allen ‘operating on his own’
TELEVISION chef Rachel Allen’s teenage son Joshua, who was arrested over the importation of cannabis, is unconnected to any drugs gang, the Irish Daily Mail can reveal.
Joshua Allen, 18, was questioned last week after a controlled delivery of cannabis, worth up to €30,000 and which originated from the US, was made to him.
He was arrested under drug trafficking legislation and could face up to ten years’ imprisonment upon conviction.
Gardaí are attempting to determine who else may have been involved in the importation of the drugs, and are liaising with US police and customs officials.
It is believed the cannabis was intended for the east Cork market, but last night security sources said their investigation is still in its infancy.
A senior source said: ‘He is obviously very young. There are a number of drugs gangs operating in Cork and the wider Munster area. Indications are that this young lad is not linked to any of the drugs gangs. It appears he was operating solely.’ A detailed file is to be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
However this is expected to take at least three months to complete due to investigation, which sources say could lead to further arrests here.
Officials at the Portlaoise Mail Centre become suspicious of the parcel bearing a US postmark and was stamped ‘clothing’. An inspection of the parcel determined it did not contain clothing.
A surveillance operation was mounted by gardaí in east Cork, leading to the arrest of Joshua Allen. Detectives from the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau were also involved in the operation.
His parents, Rachel and Isaac Allen, issued a statement confirming the arrest and said their son would plead guilty at the soonest opportunity to any charges.
Ms Allen, the television chef and face of the Co. Cork’s Ballymaloe Cookery School, admitted she was ‘absolutely devastated’ by what had happened.
‘He [Joshua] has been arrested on suspicion of possession of drugs [marijuana] with intent to supply them to others,’ a statement by Rachel and Isaac Allen said.
‘He has admitted his guilt immediately and co-operated fully with gardaí.
‘A file has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions and when formally charged Joshua will be pleading guilty at the first opportunity.
‘We are absolutely devastated at this turn of events.
‘Our son is 18 years old, has never been in trouble with gardaí, and has made a huge mistake, which will have profound consequences for him. We do not in any way condone his actions.In fact, we utterly condemn them.
The family yesterday said they would not be making any further comment.
Arrested over €30k cannabis parcel