Three questioned over €3m cocaine and cash seizure in drug network probe
Have €280,000 Designer Gardaí Accounts Of Bank €50,000 And Worth Frozen Seized In Goods
Gardaí are questioning three people in relation to major search operations earlier this year in which €3m worth of cocaine and almost €620,000 in cash was seized.
In a long-running investigation against a drug trafficking network, officers also seized 12 vehicles, worth around €300,000, as suspected evidence of money laundering.
Gardaí have frozen €280,000 in bank accounts and seized €50,000 worth of designer goods.
That is in addition to €40,000 in bank drafts and the deeds to three properties in Spain.
The drug network has its base in Neilstown, west Dublin, but also has properties across south Dublin, Wicklow, and Kildare.
They are estimated to be major suppliers of drugs in the country, reflected in the 44kgs of cocaine seized from them last February.
On Thursday, the Garda investigation went into an arrest phase — hitting three targets — after conducting detailed examination on all the items seized in the search operations, conducted in May and February.
The operation is led by detectives in Dublin South, but has been supported by the regional Dublin Crime Response Team as well as detectives from other divisions and the armed response unit.
A statement issued by Garda HQ said: “Gardaí attached to the Divisional Drugs Unit and Serious Crime Investigation Unit in Terenure and Sundrive Road Garda Stations have arrested three men as part of ongoing investigations into organised criminal activity in the South Dublin and Eastern Regions.
“The investigation targets persons suspected of being involved in drug trafficking, money laundering and drug related intimidation as part of a criminal organisation."
It said the three men — aged in their 60s, 30s and 20s — were arrested over the past five days and are currently detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2007, at Garda stations in Dublin.
This provision allows for a maximum, on applications to the courts, of seven days’ detention.
In the most recent search operation, on May 30, gardaí conducted a total of 42 searches, comprising 38 homes, three business premises, and a safety deposit box.
While most of the searches were in Dublin South, raids also took place in Dublin West and North Central.
In total, €263,500 in cash was seized during the course of these searches in addition to a Volkswagen Golf GTI (valued at approximately €40,000), a Mercedes CLA Estate (valued at approximately €40,000), and a Yamaha R1 sports motorcycle (valued at approximately €20,000).
There was also a Citreon Dispatch (valued at approximately €5,000) which contained a specially made concealed compartment in the floor of the van for transporting drugs, cash and firearms.
Bank drafts for €40,000, deeds for three Spanish properties, and two cash counting machines were also seized.
A number of designer watches, including Rolex and Tag Heuer, were also located during these searches and seized alongside over €50,000 of assorted designer clothing and footwear.
In addition, €109,000 of suspected zopiclone tablets and €4,000 of alprazolam tablets were also seized.
On February 2, 37 searches of homes and vehicles were carried out, during which 44kgs of cocaine was seized (estimated value of €3.1m) inside a car in Co Wicklow.
A total of €353,000 cash and eight vehicles worth €200,000 were seized.