Fresh Garda raids to hit organised gangs this morning

A major Garda operation is due to take place this morning against a number of organised crime gangs.

Up to three separate gangs are to be targeted and more than 10 premises are expected to be searched.

The swoop comes on the back of Wednesday’s operation, which specifically targeted the wealth and assets of the Kinahan gang in Crumlin, south Dublin.

The Irish Examiner understands that today’s operation is concerned with tackling organised criminal activity, particularly drug dealing.

It is being led by local detective units from one Dublin division and is expected to be assisted by gardaí from a neighbouring division and by armed support units.

It is thought that members of the Criminal Assets Bureau, which led Wednesday’s operation, may support the operation.

“This operation is about criminal activity, namely drugs, not assets as such,” said one source.

The gangs being hit, which centre around families, operate large-scale drug dealing operations across two garda divisions.

Key members of the gangs are understood to have a number of dwellings.

Some of the gangs are interlinked through marriage and personal relationships.

CAB officers yesterday continued a lengthy analysis of computers and documentation seized on Wednesday.

An indoor bar with 20 bottles of Dom Perignon champagne and a sunken bath with a jacuzzi were among the trappings of wealth uncovered during one of searches on associates of the Kinahan crime cartel.

A total of 29 high-powered luxury cars, along with six high-end motorbikes, were seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau and local gardaí in the massive operation.

Up to €70,000 in euro and sterling notes were confiscated, along with 10 Rolex and Breitling watches.