17 charged after Waterford drugs raids

Seventeen people have been charged with the sale and supply of heroin, ecstasy and other drugs in Waterford.

The 15 men, one woman and a male youth appeared before Judge Gerard Furlong at a special sitting of Waterford District Court late last night.

The group of people - aged between 17 and 50 - have addresses at locations across both Waterford city and county.

All were charged with the sale and supply of drugs within the Waterford area.

The court heard that while these 17 cases were similar in nature they were not necessarily connected, and more details are expected to arise from further investigation.

There were no objections to bail in the majority of cases, although one of the accused was remanded in custody regarding a separate matter.

All of the accused are unemployed and have been granted legal aid.

Those with passports must surrender them within 24 hours of appearing before the court and all were ordered to sign on at Garda stations across the city and county.

Some 24 people in total were arrested yesterday following searches at 24 houses as part of a major drug trafficking operation.

Over 80 gardaí were involved in "Operation Raptor" which was set up to target the three main drug dealing gangs in Waterford.

All of the accused will appear in court again on various dates over the coming fortnight.