Four arrested as gardaí seize €2m of cocaine and firearms in raids across four counties

The drugs and items seized during Friday's raids. Picture: Garda Info/X

Gardaí have arrested four men and seized €2 million worth of cocaine, three handguns, and €20,000 worth of cannabis in coordinated raids in Dublin, Meath, Kilkenny, and Waterford. 

As part of the ongoing Operation Tara, officers attached to the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) intercepted two vehicles shortly before 4pm in the Finglas area of Dublin. 

Raids were later carried out at addresses in Kilkenny, Waterford, Tallaght and Ashbourne in Meath. 

Over the course of the searches, three Glock handguns, a replica handgun, 28.5kg of cocaine, and 1kg of cannabis herb were recovered.

The seized cocaine has an estimated street value of approximately €2m. 

Gardaí also recovered a hydraulic drugs press, mixing agent, drug-mixing paraphernalia, communication devices, and €18,000 in cash.

All of the seized drugs will be now be sent to Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) for analysis.

Four males - aged 55, 32, 27 and 22 - have been arrested in relation to drug trafficking and were detained, pursuant to the provisions of Section 2 of Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996, at Garda stations in Dublin and Meath.

"This significant intelligence-led operation conducted by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, supported by colleagues from Dublin, Waterford, Meath and Kilkenny, demonstrates the inextricable link between illegal firearms and the drugs trade," said Assistant Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly.

"We know that these type of deadly weapons are used by organised criminal groups to intimidate, maim and kill," he said. 

"Suppressing access to illegal firearms is an absolute priority for An Garda Síochána. I wish to compliment the officers who continue to put themselves in harm’s way, in operations such as this, to protect our communities."

A garda spokesperson said that investigations are ongoing.