Crime boss ‘reeling’ after Garda raid

A major drug boss has been left reeling after gardaí searched his home as part of a massive swoop on his gang, gardaí say.

The criminal, described by gardaí as a “cute operator”, was at home when armed officers raided his house in Cabra, north Dublin, on Monday.

His was one of 30 properties targeted in Operation Vulcan, resulting in the arrest of seven people, including his wife.

The gang boss, aged in his 30s, was not arrested when nothing was found in his house, but officers said the operation was ongoing.

“This is a slow cooker,” said one Garda source.

Gardaí have identified a number of properties that may have been bought with the proceeds of crime.

Officers are hoping they can bring charges against three people arrested in relation to a pipebomb attack on the parental home of a drug officer last Halloween. Nobody was injured, but damage was caused to the door.

Officers believe the gang targeted the home in retaliation for five successive drug busts by gardaí against the gang. In total, the drugs unit seized about 800kgs of cannabis resin and 10kgs of cocaine, with a total estimated street value in excess of €5m, in recent years.

In addition, gardaí confiscated several hundred thousand euro in cash.

“These seizures were directly off his group,” said the Garda source. “And we know there is far more going on. We have seen evidence of his level of importation.”

Gardaí said the crime boss was resident here and in Spain and imported directly from there and the Netherlands through Irish-based criminals there.

“He is one of those who don’t draw attention to themselves. This fella is a cute operator,” said the Garda source.