€1m heroin bust ‘model operation’
“It’s the way forward”, said one senior garda following the seizure and arrests of three people suspected of being centrally involved in the importation of drugs.
Customs officers involved said the operation was a template for the future.
“It was well managed and excellently executed,” said one customs source. Three men, two aged 50 and a 20-year-old, are being questioned at Store Street Garda Station about the seizure, believed to have been smuggled into the country within the last few days.
It’s the second-largest seizure of heroin this year. The three can be held for up to seven days under tough drug trafficking legislation. They were arrested following a raid on a house in Rathgar, south Dublin, late on
Tuesday night. One detective described it as one of the best operations that has taken place between gardaí and customs.
“We are very happy with the co-operation we received from customs,” the senior garda said. “It’s the way forward to have this co-operation. It’s a step forward from seizing the stuff at the port when you can also get arrests.”
There has been friction between the two agencies, mainly over jurisdiction. Customs officers have fought to maintain their lead role at the point of entry, a position gardaí complain that has led to the failure to follow up and arrest key players.
Customs officers allege they have been left in the dark by gardaí. The three, suspected of being centrally involved in the importation of heroin, were arrested after gardaí from the national drugs unit raided the south Dublin house. It is believed the drugs were discovered in the house.
The seizure and arrests followed a joint operation between the national unit and customs. It is understood a surveillance operation had tracked a container filled with drugs after it was brought in to Dublin Port.
