Two arrested on drug driving charges, and €4k worth of illegal drugs seized in Killorglin

GARDAÍ found more than €4,000 worth of illegal drugs during a search of five properties in the Killorglin area on Friday last as part of an Operation Thor Day of Action.

The three-phase garda operation involved the targeting of illicit drugs, the enforcement of road-safety legislation as well as community engagement activities.

Gardaí from the Kerry Roads Policing Unit and Kerry Divisional Drugs Unit patrolled Killorglin on Thursday evening last, June 25, and arrested two drivers on suspicion of drug driving having tested positive for cocaine and cannabis.

Both drivers were brought to Killarney Garda Station and were later released. A file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Phase two of the operation began on Friday morning, June 26, and focused on the sale and supply of drugs in the area. In total, approximately €4,180 worth of suspected drugs were seized arising from the search of five properties. €3,200 worth of cannabis plants were discovered during the searches, as well as €250 worth of cannabis along with €660 worth of steroids. Smaller amounts of nitrates, known as poppers, and heroin were also found in the search.

There were no arrests made during this phase, but Gardaí are following a definite line of enquiry in each incident.

Phase three of the operation focused on community engagement and crime prevention. Checkpoints were conducted at predetermined locations and were carried out by gardaí from Kerry Roads Policing Unit, Kerry Divisional Drugs Unit and Killarney Garda Station.

At one of the checkpoints, a car was seen doing a u-turn. The car was stopped a short distance away, and it transpired that the driver did not have insurance, tax or NCT. The car was seized under Section 41 of the Road Traffic Act, and the driver will appear before the courts at a later date.

As well as monitoring road-traffic enforcement, motorists were given advice on vehicle security, in particular about not leaving valuables in their vehicle when it is unattended.

While these checkpoints were being conducted, a Garda crime-prevention stand was set up outside Killorglin Garda Station. This stand was staffed by Killorglin Gardaí, who gave advice to the public on topics such as home security, personal safety and bogus traders and cold callers. Superintendent Flor Murphy said that the day of action was aimed at making the local community safer:

“The three-phase approach to this day of action allowed us to disrupt people believed to involved in the sale and supply of drugs in Killorglin, promoted road safety and enforce road traffic legislation, and got us out there talking to people and building stronger relationships with the people we serve,” Supt Murphy said.

Photo courtesy of An Garda Siochána. Drugs found during property searches in Killorglin last week as part of Operation Thor Day of Action in the town, carried out by An Garda Siochana.