Man arrested following €1.54 million cocaine and cannabis seizure

David Raleigh

Gardaí recovered more than €1.54 million worth of drugs in a major operation targeting the activities of a drug gang in Limerick on Wednesday night.

The investigation targeting the supply chain of a local crime gang's drug network was led by the Limerick Divisional Drugs Unit (DDU), based out of Henry Street Garda Station.

At around 5pm, Gardaí stopped a car travelling in the Caherdavin area, situated on the outskirts of the city.

During a search of the vehicle, Gardaí recovered an estimated €70,000 worth of cocaine.

Gardaí subsequently obtained warrants and searched a second vehicle and a domestic residence.

During the course of these searches, gardaí recovered 35kg of suspected cannabis worth an estimated €700,000 and 11kg of suspected cocaine worth an estimated €770,000

Gardaí arrested a 26-year-old man as part of the drugs probe.

The seized drugs are to be sent to Forensic Science Ireland for analysis.

It is the latest in a string of recent large drug seizures by the Limerick DDU as a result of its targeting of the activities of drug dealers based across the city and county.

The largest ever drug seizure in the region occurred at Foynes Port, west Co Limerick, on December 19th, 2023.

A total of €21.6million worth of cocaine was recovered by Customs and Gardaí, amongst a sugar and grain consignment on board the Maltese registered cargo vessel, the MV Verila, after it docked at Foynes.

The ship had sailed from Brazil to Canada, then to Ireland, where it was expected to be collected and transported across Europe.