TWO MEN ARRESTED AS COPS SEIZE €3.1M COKE
Garda search 37 properties plus vehicles
TWO men have been arrested after €3.1million worth of suspected cocaine, plus vehicles, watches, laptops and phones were seized.
Gardai searched 37 homes, businesses, cars and vans yesterday as part of an operation targeting a gang supplying drugs to the east of the country.
In Aughrim, Co Wicklow, a man in his 30s was arrested after 44kg of suspected cocaine was discovered in a vehicle.
Another male, also in his 30s, was arrested after €213,000 in cash was discovered during the search of a home in Clondalkin in Dublin.
The pair remain in custody. At least
one of them is known to gardai as a significant figure in organised crime, can be quizzed for up to seven days.
Gardai said a further €140,000 in cash was seized in later searches.
Eight vehicles, estimated to be worth around €200,000, were seized as evidence
of money laundering and proceeds of crime and more than €280,000 was frozen in bank accounts.
Jewellery, including designer watches, electronic devices, laptops and smartphones were also seized.
Gardai have for the past three years been investigating the activities of a South Dublin organised crime gang.
Based in the south west of the capital, the criminals have been supplying drugs to much of the east coast and gardai have already intercepted several significant seizures.
Yesterday’s operation was led by the Serious Crime Investigation, Drugs and Specialist Support Units, assisted by the Dublin Crime Response Team, Garda Dog Unit, Customs Canine Unit and the Armed Support Unit.
Gardai said investigations into the seizures are ongoing.