Gardaí today, 12 February 2015, displayed a significant haul of Guns and Drugs at Garda Headquarters, Phoenix Park, Dublin.
On Monday afternoon 9th February 2015 Gardaí from Clondalkin arrested a man, 39 years, and seized a large quantity of cash following the stop and search of a vehicle in the Clondalkin area.
As part of the follow up investigation Gardaí attached to the Clondalkin Detective Unit and Drugs Unit conducted a search of a house in the Ballyfermot area. The search led to the discovery and seizure of 3 kilos of suspected cocaine and 1 kilo of suspected heroin with an estimated value of €360,000, pending analysis. Three sub machine guns, (a Steyr 9mm, a Heckler & Koch, a GSG5) pistol (Beretta) and approx 100 rounds of assorted ammunition (9mm and 0.450) and a small amount of cash was also seized.
The arrested man was held in Garda custody in Clondalkin Garda Station under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drugs Trafficking) Act 1996.
As part of an ongoing investigation Gardaí attached to the Clondalkin Detective and Drugs Units carried out a planned search of a premises at Bluebell Industrial Estate, Dublin, on Tuesday 10th February 2015. During the search 32.5 kilos of suspected heroin and a ½ kilo of suspected cocaine, pending analysis, were discovered and seized. A handgun (a Heckler & Koch 9mm pistol) and a quantity of ammunition were also seized during the search.
To date, this investigation has led to the seizure of heroin and cocaine with an estimated value of €5.2 million, subject to analysis, (heroin valued at €5,025,000 and cocaine valued at €380,000).
The 39 year old man, arrested on Monday 9th February 2015, in connection with this investigation, appeared in Blanchardstown District Court this morning the 12/2/15, charged with drugs and firearm offences. He is remanded in custody to Cloverhill District Court to the 18/2/15.
The investigation is ongoing.
Superintendent Brendan Connolly, Clondalkin outlined: "This is a significant seizure of heroin, which causes terrible damage in communities throughout this country. This operation has taken drugs, firearms and ammunition off our streets, which could have caused terrible damage.
This operation has caused major disruption to a Dublin based criminal gang (based in Ballyfermot/Clondalkin) with international connections and is part of our on-going strategy of targeting criminal gangs.
We remain determined to do all we can to protect communities from the scourge of drugs and we thank communities for their support in this.”
A photograph of the seized drugs and firearms is available on request to pressoffice@garda.ie
