‘Lone ranger’ drug dealer is targeted in CAB raid
A 36-YEAR-OLD Tallaght drug dealer suspected of acting as a “lone ranger” but who has links to multiple gangs in the capital was the latest target of raids by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB).
The suspect’s home was raided, as well as a motor dealership in the Dublin 10 area, which is suspected of being managed by a man with links to the Hutch gang.
The primary target of the operation was previously given a suspended jail sentence for controlling a cannabis grow house in the Tallaght area.
He has a number of previous convictions. None of those are for violent offences but he is considered one of the “most significant drug facilitators” in the capital.
“This individual was targeted as a result of information gathered by profilers in the Tallaght area.
“His home was raided yesterday where encrypted phones were seized,” a senior source said last night.
“He is an unusual criminal in the sense that he seems to be aligned to every gang and yet none. It is fair to say that he is a lone ranger of sorts.
“He got involved with the gang nicknamed ‘The Family’ and he also seems to have fallen out with them, which led to an active threat against his life.”
Cash worth €66,865 was seized along with a 161-registered Audi Q7 car which the suspect has been driving, along with two encrypted phones and documentation.
“This search operation is a significant development in an ongoing investigation into cash and other assets accumulated by a local organised crime group, from the sale and supply of controlled drugs,” a Garda spokeswoman said.