A MAN has been arrested after €2.2million worth of drugs was seized by the Gardai.
The haul was made after the cops “intercepted a vehicle” on the M7 motorway in Laois yesterday evening.
Gardai from Clondalkin Drugs Unit and the Garda National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau have seized a significant quantity of drugs and arrested a man as part of Operation Tara.
The operation is an enhanced national anti-drugs strategy, which was launched on July 2, 2021, with a focus on disrupting, dismantling and prosecuting drug trafficking networks, local, national and international.
Approximately €100,000 worth of suspected cocaine was discovered and seized in his vehicle.
A man, 30s, was arrested at the scene and is currently detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996 at a Garda station in the Dublin Metropolitan Region.
After the incident, a follow-up search was conducted of a residence in West Dublin, which resulted in a further seizure of drugs.
They seized an estimated €160,000 of cannabis, €1.2 million of ketamine, €530,000 of cocaine and €210,000 of diamorphine.
A quantity of cash and a number of items were also seized by the Gardai.
The seized drugs with a total estimated worth of €2.2million have been forwarded to Forensic Science Ireland for analysis.
The spokesperson for the Gardai confirmed the investigation is ongoing.
Separately, Gardai believe that a major Scottish crime gang masterminded the shipment of €31million worth of cocaine into Ireland earlier this month.
Investigators from the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau are also probing if the mob had “logistical support” from representatives of transnational crime gangs based in Ireland.
As the investigation continues into the seizure at Courtmacsherry, Co Cork, on Tuesday morning, we can also reveal that two of the four suspects are involved in the fishing industry.
FOUR ARRESTS OVER SEIZURE OF DRUGS
One, 39, is based in the Highlands in Scotland and the other is a businessman, 44, from Cornwall in south England.
Another, 40, is from the Pollock area of Glasgow, while the German national, 31, is from the Bavarian region of Germany.
All four are being held on suspicion of their involvement in this year’s biggest seizure of drugs.
Gardai also believe the suspects are “key members” of the Scots-based crime gang.
One source said: “These suspects are considered to be important cogs of this organised crime group.
“The Scottish-based gangs are heavily involved in transnational drug trafficking but this smuggling route is now dismantled.
“All four are very experienced and this was a very professional drug smuggling operation.
“Crime gangs are deliberately targeting fishermen and others who are corrupted by money and greed.
“There is no doubt that these individuals were critical enablers for this criminal organisation.”
Gardai have seized €2.2million worth of suspected drugs[/caption]
