As part of on-going intelligence-led operation targeting the sale and supply of drugs led by the Garda National Drugs Unit assisted by local Garda Drug Units in Dublin and Meath, drugs with an estimated street value of over €5million were seized in Dublin and Meath during an operation which concluded today (18/4/14). Nine men were arrested and a quantity of firearms and ammunition was seized.
A number of premises and vehicles were searched during the course of this operation and the following drugs, firearms and ammunition were seized:
· 178 Kgs Cannabis Herb with an estimated street value of €3.56 million
· 261 Kgs Cannabis Resin with an estimated street value of €1.57 million
· 76,000 suspected Ecstasy tablets with an estimated street value of €760,000
· 1 Kg of a powder substance
· Quantity of ammunition
· 6 firearms – 5 handguns and one machine gun
The nine arrested men are currently detained at Ballymun, Blanchardstown, Finglas, Clondalkin and Store St under the provisions of Section 2 (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996.
Detective Chief Superintendent John Mc Mahon (GNDU) said "Gardaí have today disrupted and dismantled a major gang which operated drug trafficking into Ireland. An Garda Síochána is relentless in the pursuit of drug traffickers.
This operation is part of on-going Garda activity to tackle organised crime and take drugs and firearms off our streets, This seizure shows how organised crime gangs from Ireland and abroad are using the profits from the sale of drugs such as cannabis to fund the importation of further drugs and firearms. An Garda Síochána is determined to protect communities from the potentially devastating impact of these drugs and firearms"
"By using analytical and intelligence methods, this operation was highly targeted. It has been in the planning for some time and involved a large number of personnel and man-hours. It also involved close co-operation with the Police Service of Northern Ireland and I would like to thank them for their assistance."
This drugs seizure follows a number of other significant seizures within the last month by An Garda Síochána including:
- The seizure of drugs worth approximately €1m in Drogheda
- The uncovering of a drug manufacturing plant and seizure of Ecstasy tablets worth €150,000 in Limerick
- The seizure of cannabis herb and plants with a value of up to €100,000 in Co Galway
- The arrest of a number of individuals in Galway city involved in street dealing of heroin, cannabis and other drugs
An Garda Síochána is currently conducting a number of ongoing operations in cooperation with Revenue Customs, other International Law Enforcement units and are actively assisted by Europol and Interpol. The targeting of international traffickers is supplemented by a vigorous policy against persons in the Irish state who are supplying controlled drugs.
Note to editors : All values provided are pending analysis
