Ukrainian was just four days involved with Galway drugs gang

A Ukrainian war refugee's involvement in the ‘nefarious’ Galway drugs trade lasted four days before he came to the attention of local Gardaí.

Published 17th Apr 2026, 06:00 BST Man pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine and ketamine A Ukrainian war refugee's involvement in the ‘nefarious’ Galway drugs trade lasted four days before he came to the attention of local Gardaí. Sign up to our Connacht Tribune Today daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Connacht Tribune within your account.

Bohdan Nazarov (19), with an address at Teach Na Coiribe, Tuam Road, pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine and ketamine, and possession of ketamine and cocaine for sale or supply, contrary to Sections 3 and 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Sergeant Claire Heneghan told Galway District Court that the accused was observed acting suspiciously on Father Griffin Road on September 14, 2024.

The accused had ketamine valued at €330 and cocaine valued €210. He has no previous convictions.

Defence solicitor Sean Acton told the court Nazarov and his mother moved to Ireland after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The court heard they lived with an Irish family for a period and the accused attended school in Galway before gaining employment.

Mr Acton said at the time of the incident, his client had been involved in the ‘nefarious’ drugs trade for just four days before coming to Garda attention.

Mr Acton said his client's cooperation was ‘immediate and on the spot’ and Gardaí were satisfied his involvement was for a short period and he is no longer involved in drugs.

The court heard from a man, who along with his girlfriend, opened their home to the accused's family when they came to Ireland. The man told the court Nazarov and his mother were in a ‘precarious situation’ and lived with them for a year.

He said the accused was hardworking and he held him in ‘high regard’, and that, at school, the accused was eager to make friends and ‘picked some of the wrong people ’.

Judge John King ordered a probation report and adjourned the case to a later date.

Related topics: Galway Galway District Court Family Drugs Gardaí Ireland People Sign up to our Connacht Tribune Today daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Connacht Tribune within your account.