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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
National
Michelle Cullen

Man, 30s, arrested after gardai seize €3.2 million worth of suspected cocaine in major search operation

A man aged in his 30s has been arrested after gardai seized around €3.2 million worth of suspected cocaine in Dublin on Sunday.

The seizure was made following the search of a residential property in Clondalkin at around 7pm.

During the course of the search, Gardaí located and seized over 40 blocks of suspected cocaine with an estimated street value of approximately €3.2 million, pending analysis.

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Gardaí also seized drug paraphernalia and cash to the value of €21,500 during the course of the search.

The arrested man was taken to Lucan Garda Station, where he is currently detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996.

A garda spokesperson said: “Gardaí have seized approximately €3.2 million worth of suspected cocaine and arrested one male as part of an investigation into the sale and supply of drugs in the Clondalkin area.

“At approximately 7pm yesterday evening, Sunday 21st August 2022, Gardaí attached to the Ronanstown District Drugs Unit and Detective Unit conducted a search operation at a residence in Clondalkin, Dublin 22.”

They added: “Investigations are ongoing.”

This seizure forms part of Operation Tara, an enhanced national anti-drugs strategy, which Garda Commissioner Drew Harris launched on 2nd July 2021.

The focus of Operation Tara is to disrupt, dismantle and prosecute drug trafficking networks at all levels involved in the importation, distribution, cultivation, production, local sale and supply of controlled drugs.

The news comes as over €276,000 worth of illegal drugs was seized by Revenue after a routine operation in Co Westmeath on Thursday.

Officers examining parcels at a premises in Athlone seized over 15kgs of herbal cannabis and a small amount of ecstasy.

The drugs were discovered in parcels that originated from multiple locations across mainland Europe believed to have included Italy, Poland, Portugal, Spain and the Netherland.

It is understood they were destined for addresses across the country, including Dublin, Roscommon, Waterford, Westmeath and Wicklow.

A garda spokesperson said: "Investigations are ongoing."

This seizure is part of Revenue's ongoing operations targeting the importation of illegal drugs.

If businesses or members of the public have any information regarding smuggling, they can contact Revenue in confidence on Confidential Phone Number 1800 295 295.

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