Alert gardai members made a drug arrest on Tuesday morning - after noticing a tiny difference to a motor vehicle.
Officers on patrol in Kinsale got a bit of a feeling when they saw that something wasn't right with a passing car's N plate, so they pulled the driver over.
The N plate of the car had the "white border removed,' which is what raised the alarm with them.
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Their suspicions turned out to be accurate. After proceeding to do a roadside drug test they found that the driver was under the influence of cocaine, and that there was a "quantity of drugs" in the car.
A spokesperson said: "The driver failed a road side drug test for cocaine quantity of drugs were found court appearance to follow."
It is illegal to drive under the influence of drugs (including prescription drugs) if your driving is impaired to such an extent that you don’t have proper control of the vehicle.
If convicted of this offence, the minimum disqualification on a first offence is four years and six years for a second or subsequent offence.
For certain drugs – cannabis, cocaine and heroin – it is illegal to drive if you are over the specified limit, even if your driving is not impaired.
If you are convicted of being over the specified limit, you will be disqualified for at least one year on a first offence and at least two years for second or subsequent offence. A first offence can be a drink or drug driving offence.
The maximum penalty for drink/drug driving is a €5000 fine and/or imprisonment for up to six months.
Gardai can set up a roadblock to conduct random alcohol and drug testing. It is unlawful to refuse to be breathalysed, and you could be fined up to €5000, or be imprisoned for up to six months, or both.
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