The Garda National Drugs Unit, working with colleagues from the Revenue Customs Service, has this morning conducted a series of searches and made two arrests as part of an ongoing intelligence led operation targetting organised crime.
Gardaí arrested a man (42) in the Tallaght area and seized a vehicle together with approximately 50kg of cocaine (subject to analysis). In follow up searches in the west Dublin and Kildare areas, a second man (31) was arrested and Gardaí recovered a further substantial quantity of cocaine (subject to analysis), currently believed to be in excess of 300 kg.
This seizure represents the largest single inland seizure of cocaine in this country. As well as working closely with Revenue Customs Service, the Garda National Drugs Unit has been supported by Gardaí from all the national units and the districts in which the searches and arrests have taken place. Enquiries are also ongoing with international colleagues as to the origins and destination of the cocaine.
The two men are currently detained at Clondalkin Garda Station under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996.
Note for Editors:
The Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan and Revenue Commissioner Liam Irwin will be available for a media briefing outside the Garda National Drugs Unit, Dublin Castle at 3.00 pm
Arrangements will be put in place to provide media with images of the seizures later this afternoon. Details will be provided when finalised.
