Drug swoop targets biggest trafficker
One man was arrested during the early-morning swoop on seven caravans and surrounding ground near a factory at Drogheda, Co Louth.
A Webley mark IV revolver and 47 rounds of ammunition were also recovered, while Customs officials impounded an unregistered car.
Detectives believe the cocaine, packed into a drum and hidden in undergrowth beside the halting site at Cement Road, was being stored for the drugs boss.
“The guy that owns the stuff is the kingpin of the country at the moment, much bigger than Marlo Hyland ever was,” said a Garda source, referring to the murdered crime boss.
In a major planned operation, the Garda National Drugs Units, backed up by local units from Balbriggan, moved on to the camp at about 7am.
The discovery of weighing scales in one caravan led them to a field opposite, beside grounds belonging to the Premier Periclase magnesia-making plant.
Sniffer dogs and metal detectors were brought in which helped uncover a small blue drum packed with the cocaine hidden in undergrowth.
The drugs have been sent to the Garda Technical Bureau for forensic analysis.
A 25-year-old man was arrested at the scene and taken to Drogheda Garda Station, where he is being held under Section 2 of the Drug Trafficking Act.
Customs officials also seized a Volkswagen Passat car at the site.
Separately, cocaine worth €20,000 was seized at North Great Charles Street, in north inner city Dublin.
A 50-year-old man was arrested and is being questioned at Store Street Garda Station.
