Over €1.6 million worth of drugs seized over two days in three counties

Ellen O'Donoghue

Over €1.6 million worth of controlled drugs were seized by gardaí in three counties on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Gardaí said that they conducted the operation targeting drug trafficking, money laundering and associated criminality by organised crime groups (OCGs) on March 3rd and 4th.

Over the course of the two days, gardaí searched 27 properties, including lands and buildings in Blessington, Co Wicklow, and residential properties in Tallaght in South Dublin, and Ashbourne in Co Meath.

During the search of a property in Blessington, a suspected cocaine press, electronic remote control devices and linear actuators were found, believed to be used in constructing concealed hides in vehicles for the transportation of significant quantities of drugs.

Two vans were seized with built-in hides.

A van was subsequently seized during a search at a property in Tallaght and found to contain two wheel balancing machines equipped with remote-operated hydraulic covers.

The machines were disguised as hides with the capacity to transport significant quantities of drugs.

On Wednesday evening, a search at a residential property in Ashbourne resulted in the seizure of cocaine worth €1,190,000, cannabis herb worth €280,000 and €12,000 in cash.

At the same time, a related search in the Tallaght area led to the seizure of cocaine worth €56,700 and a vacuum pack containing €50,000 in cash.

In the course of the operation to date, gardaí have seized cocaine valued at €1,330,000, heroin valued at €63,000, cannabis valued at €288,500, and €89,500 cash in both euro and sterling.

Jewellery, including designer brand watches, which are to be authenticated and valued, designer bags and clothing, and three vehicles have also been seized.

The operation was coordinated by DMR South Crime and led by the Terenure Drugs Unit with support from DMR South Serious Crime, Sundrive Road and Tallaght Drugs Units, Community Engagement Units, Divisional Roads Policing Unit, ASU DMR and Eastern Region, the Stolen Motor Vehicle Investigation Unit (SMVIU) and NBCI.

No arrests have been made thus far.

Investigations remain ongoing, gardaí said.