25 arrested as part of Garda crackdown on organised crime
Twenty-five people were arrested, and almost €40,000 worth of drugs including cannabis, cocaine, upjohn tablets, heroin, and crack cocaine were seized in fifteen garda raids across the Gorey and Enniscorthy garda district last Thursday.
The district day of action as part of the Operation Thor crackdown on crime and drugs was led by the new district superintendent, Gerry McGrath, who took up his post in the last fortnight. The operation involved the district detective and traffic units, local personnel, and the garda dog unit.
‘It was a significant operation and a lot of good work was done by members across the division,’ said Supt McGrath. ‘It’s a challenging environment out there and no town or village is any different.’
The searches on homes in Gorey, Enniscorthy, Courtown, and Ferns, began early on Thursday morning, and continued throughout the day.
In all, fifteen homes were searched under warrant, and 25 people were arrested and brought to Gorey and Enniscorthy garda stations for questioning. Nineteen bench warrants were executed. Ten anti-crime checkpoints were conducted throughout the district.
Drugs, with an estimated street value of around €39,000, were seized during several of the searches, with two of the more significant seizures made in the Gorey area.
The haul included 1kg of cannabis, - the total value of cannabis seized amounted to €20,000; as well as €16,000 worth of cocaine; 1,200 upjohn (Xanax) tablets worth €2,400; heroin worth €500; and €100 worth of crack cocaine.
Two arrests were made under Section 15A of the Drugs Act, which involves a charge of possession of drugs for sale or supply worth more than €10,000. There were three arrests for charges of possessing drugs for sale or supply worth €10,000 or under. One suspect was arrested and questioned in relation to an attempted robbery in Bunclody in the past year.
Six suspects were brought before Wexford District Court on Thursday morning, while another five were brought before a special sitting of Gorey District Court on Thursday evening on foot of bench warrants. Files are being prepared for the Director for Public Prosecutions and more court appearances are expected.