Gardaí seize largest ever haul of methamphetamine

Gardaí have made the largest ever seizure of methamphetamine in the history of State after it swooped on a suspected Eastern European trafficking gang, it emerged tonight.

Six kilos of the lethal drug were recovered when the drugs squad and customs stopped and searched two vehicles which had come off a ferry in Dublin.

It is understood covert units tailed a number of men from the capital to Birr, Co Offaly, where they carried out the raid.

Eight kilos of herbal cannabis were also seized.

Investigating officers said they were following the activities of a Lithuanian drugs trafficking gang when they recovered the drugs.

There were several follow-up searches in Cork, Kerry and Meath, said a Garda spokesman.

“This arrest is the latest in Operation Chestnut, an investigation set up to target east European drugs trafficking gangs impacting on Ireland,” he added.

Initially, due to the quantity of the seizure, Customs believed they were dealing with a cocaine haul, but forensic tests revealed the six kilos of methamphetamine.

It is is a very addictive stimulant drug that affects the central nervous system.

The drugs are believed to have a potential street value of €500,000, but this figure may be revised pending further examination.

A 32-year-old arrested during the joint operation by the Garda National Drugs Unit and Revenue’s Customs Service was being questioned.

He was being held at Tullamore Garda Station under Section Two of the Drug Trafficking Act.

The Revenue Customs Service said the drugs haul had been hidden inside two vehicles that had arrived in Ireland by ferry through Dublin Port.

The sting operation was carried out by Customs, the Garda National Drugs Unit and foreign law enforcement agencies.

Separately, five men were arrested after detectives in Sligo and Leitrim seized cannabis and cocaine during a wave of raids in the counties.

A number of cannabis plants and cultivation equipment were also recovered in 12 searches since Sunday.

The investigation code-named Operation Clean Street, ongoing since last November, is targeting drug dealers in the Sligo area.