Gardaí arrest major haulier suspected of decades-long drug trafficking in €10.6m cocaine seizure

The individual, aged in his 60s, was arrested after gardaí seized 152kg of cocaine, hidden inside a “sophisticated concealment” within an articulated truck intercepted in a planned operation. Picture: An Garda Siochana

A major haulier, suspected of transporting huge consignments of drugs for decades, has been caught in a Garda operation targeting the country’s biggest drug gang.

The individual, aged in his 60s, was arrested after gardaí seized 152kg of cocaine, hidden inside a “sophisticated concealment” within an articulated truck intercepted in a planned operation.

The haul — one of the largest inland cocaine seizures in recent years — is yet another blow to the drug trafficking network known as ‘the Family’, led by three brothers from the Ballyfermot and Clondalkin area of west Dublin.

This outfit, which has also been operating for almost three decades, is considered by gardaí to be the biggest drug importer in the country.

It is one of the top targets of both the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) and the Criminal Assets Bureau, both of which have targeted the network numerous times over the years.

The haulier, based in the south-east, has been on a hit list for the GNDOCB for a long time.

The national unit has been working with detectives from the Waterford Division over a “protracted period” to target him and wait for the right time to act.

Gardaí suspect he has provided key logistical support – particularly transport – to numerous trafficking gangs for a long time.

“This is a massive arrest for us,” one security source said. “He is a major haulier who has facilitated organised crime for decades.” 

A statement from Garda HQ said: “As part of Operation Tara and ongoing investigations into organised crime, Gardaí from the National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau and Waterford Drug and Crime Units carried out a series of operations on Tuesday, March 18.

“These operations included the interception of a heavy goods vehicle on the M9 in County Kilkenny shortly after 10am and searches of two business premises and a residential address in Waterford.” 

It said: “During the operation, 152 kilograms of cocaine (subject to analysis), valued at €10.6 million, was discovered in a sophisticated vehicle concealment. One male aged 60 years was arrested pursuant to Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2006 in relation to facilitating and enhancing drug distribution activities for an organised crime group.” 

He is being held under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2007, which allows, on applications to the courts, detention for up to seven days.

The statement said the operation was supported by the Revenue Customs Service, the Garda Dog Unit, and the Stolen Motor Vehicle Investigation Unit.

Following the operation, Assistant Commissioner Angela Willis, who is in charge of Organised and Serious Crime, said: “This is a further example of An Garda Síochána's commitment to target the enablers and facilitators of organised crime. The recently published European Union Serious and Organised Crime Threat Assessment (EU-SOCTA 2025) highlights that serious and organised crime undermines the very foundations of political, economic and social cohesion and stability through illicit proceeds, the perpetuation of violence and the extension of corruption. 

"I thank the public for their support and encourage everybody to play their part. Report suspicious activity in confidence to the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111.”