Gardaí display Guns and Drugs seized this week at HQ

Gardaí today, displayed a significant haul of Guns and Drugs at Garda Headquarters, Phoenix Park, Dublin.

On Monday Gardaí from Clondalkin arrested a 39-year-old man, and seized a large quantity of cash following the stop and search of a vehicle in the Clondalkin area.

As part of the follow up investigation Gardaí attached to the Clondalkin Detective Unit and Drugs Unit conducted a search of a house in the Ballyfermot area. The search led to the discovery and seizure of 3 kilos of suspected cocaine and 1 kilo of suspected heroin with an estimated value of €360,000, pending analysis.

Three sub machine guns, (a Steyr 9mm, a Heckler & Koch, an GSG5) pistol (Beretta) and approx 100 rounds of assorted ammunition (9mm and 0.450) and a small amount of cash was also seized.

On Tuesday Gardaí attached to the Clondalkin Detective and Drugs Units carried out a planned search of a premises at Bluebell Industrial Estate, Dublin. During that search 32.5 kilos of suspected heroin and a ½ kilo of suspected cocaine, pending analysis, were discovered and seized.

A handgun (a Heckler & Koch 9mm pistol) and a quantity of ammunition were also seized.

To date, this investigation has led to the seizure of heroin and cocaine with an estimated value of €5.2 million, subject to analysis, (heroin valued at €5,025,000 and cocaine valued at €380,000).

The 39 year old man arrested on Monday in connection appeared in Blanchardstown District Court this morning charged with drugs and firearm offences. He was remanded in custody to Cloverhill District Court to February 18. The investigation is ongoing.

Garda Superintendent Brendan Connolly, Clondalkin outlined: "This is a significant seizure of heroin, which causes terrible damage in communities throughout this country. This operation has taken drugs, firearms and ammunition off our streets, which could have caused terrible damage".

A Garda statement said "This operation has caused major disruption to a Dublin based criminal gang (based in Ballyfermot/Clondalkin) with international connections and is part of our on-going strategy of targeting criminal gangs. We remain determined to do all we can to protect communities from the scourge of drugs and we thank communities for their support in this."