Operation Overwatch - Drugs Operation Tipperary Division - Drugs €1.2 million seized.
Gardai in Tipperary can confirm that an intelligence led Drugs Operation under Operation Overwatch was completed across the Tipperary Division from the 26th to 30th September 2016.
Gardai from the Tipperary Divisional Drugs Unit together with Detective, Uniform, Community Gardai including Gardai from the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau and Garda Dog Unit took part in a number of planned drugs operations which saw approximately €1.2 million in controlled drugs seized.
As part of this planned operation a total of 26 locations were searched across the Division with 9 suspects arrested for Possession of Drugs for Sale and Supply under Section 15 Misuse of Drugs Act, which also includes 11 detections for Simple Possession Contrary to Section 3 Misuse of Drugs Act 1977-1984. Further searches took place this morning with additional arrests made.
Gardai can also confirm that as part of this operation, a total of 34 Penal Warrants and 14 Bench Warrants were executed with these offenders currently before the District Court.
In addition, three significant seizures were made as part of this operation namely:
• ?On Sunday the 25th September 2016, a cannabis grow house was located in Ballykisteen Tipperary with drugs to the value of €7000(analysis pending) seized. One male (26 years) was arrested, released without charge and a file being prepared for the DPP.
• ?On the 28th September 2016, following an intelligence led operation, a cannabis grow house was located in Nenagh with drugs to the value of €20,000(analysis pending) seized. One male (43 years) was arrested and charged and remanded on bail to appear at Nenagh District Ct on the 14th October 2016.
• ?On the 28th September 2016, following a joint operation between the Tipperary Divisional Drugs Unit, the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, a sophisticated cannabis grow house was located in Hollyford, Co Tipperary. Controlled drugs with an estimated street value of €1.1 million (pending analysis) were seized.
As part of this operation two males in their 40’s, were arrested and they are currently detained at Thurles and Templemore Garda Station under the provisions of section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drugs Trafficking) Act 1996 as amended.
The success of this Operation will have a significant impact in the distribution of controlled drugs and the dismantling of drug related activity across Tipperary Division.
Operation Overwatch will continue to target the distribution and sale of control drugs across Tipperary.
Anyone with information on these or any other crimes can contact their local Garda Station or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.
A photograph is available by email request to the pressoffice@garda.ie
Note:
As part of our Divisional Policing Plan for 2016, Operation Overwatch is a Tipperary Divisional Drugs Operation focusing on tackling known drug dealers / suppliers / users including tackling drug trafficking and drug related criminal behaviour across the Tipperary Division.
Operation Overwatch is under the command of Chief Superintendent Catherine Kehoe, Local District Officers and is coordinated by the Divisional Detective Inspector Patrick O’Callaghan.
Operation Overwatch coordinates the activity of the Divisional Drugs Unit through tasking, searches, surveillance and targeted operations and involves the assistance and exchange of intelligence between a number of National Units including the Garda National Drugs Unit and Organised Crime Bureau.
The aim of Operation Overwatch is to reduce incidence of Drug Trafficking and related criminal activity by supporting communities across Tipperary.
