Three held after Limerick heroin seizure

Gardaí in Limerick are questioning three men who were arrested following a major seizure of heroin in the city.

Members of Limerick Drug Squad seized 2.5 kilos of the drug with an estimated street value of €500,000 during a planned garda operation last night. The three suspects – including two non-nationals thought to be from Nigeria and Sierra Leone and a Limerick man – are being questioned at Henry Street.

Gardaí said that some of the heroin was seized in a flat on O’Connell Avenue while more was recovered when three men were arrested on Hartstonge Street. It is understood that the heroin, which was destined for the Limerick market, was a particularly pure variety and gardaí believe they have dealt a major blow to local dealers.

Detective Sergeant John Heelan of the Limerick Drug Squad described the seizure, which involved months of surveillance, work as “very significant”.

“From our information we are satisfied that this heroin was destined for the local market whereas previous heroin seizures in the city were not for local distribution. It also indicates that local criminal gangs are actively engaging foreign nationals who are able to bring the drug into the country,” he said.

The three suspects who range in age from their mid-20’s to mid-30’s were being questioned at Henry Street garda station under Section 2 of the Drug Trafficking Act.

Their initial period of detention was extended today and gardaí were awaiting further instructions from the office of the DPP before deciding how to proceed with the case.