Issue Date: 03/03/2022
Following co-operation with Swedish Police, the UK National Crime Agency and Interpol, Gardaí arrested three men at Waterford Airport on the morning of Wednesday, 23rd February 2022.
The three men were arrested after disembarking from an aircraft which had arrived from Belgium via an airfield in the United Kingdom midlands.
Shortly after the aircraft had landed in the UK, members of the UK National Crime Agency intercepted a car in the vicinity of this airfield. 50kgs of cocaine with an estimated value of €3.5m was seized. A male was arrested by members of the UK National Crime Agency and has subsequently been charged and appeared before court.
Upon arrival to Ireland at approximately 11am on the 23rd February 2022, the plane was met and searched by Waterford Gardaí, personnel from Revenue and Customs and also a Customs dog. A number of mobile phones and €9,000 in cash was seized. Three males on board were arrested for alleged offences under 72 Criminal Justice Act 2006 and detained under section 50 Criminal Justice Act 2007 at Garda Stations in the South East. Following further enquiries and liaison with the UK National Crime Agency, Interpol and Swedish Police, the identities of a Lithuanian Male in his 30s and 2 Swedish males in their 50s were confirmed.
The aircraft remains detained by An Garda Síochána.
On Sunday, 27th February 2022, all three males were released from the provisions of their respective detentions, investigations are ongoing in co-operation with our UK, Swedish and Interpol counterparts and a file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions in respect of this international investigation.
All 3 males were re-arrested on foot of European Arrest Warrants issued by the Swedish authorities and appeared before the High Court at the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin on Monday, 28th February 2022 in respect of these EAW’s.
These males have been remanded in custody to appear again before the High Court on the 11th March 2022.
