Gardaí continuing to search properties near Tralee after major crystal meth seizure

Gardaí are conducting searches of property in the Ballymacelligott and Ballyseedy areas north east of Tralee this morning. 

Gardaí along with Revenue Officers seized 546kg of a synthetic drug, with an estimated value of €32.8 million

Gardaí investigating a major seizure of crystal meth in the Port of Cork are continuing to search properties in Co Kerry today.

It is the second day of searches and comes after more than a tonne of suspected crystal meth was seized in the Port of Cork, while linked searches were conducted at a large retail store in Co Kerry.

Gardaí with specialised equipment and back-up from customs officers are conducting searches of property in the Ballymacelligott and Ballyseedy areas north east of Tralee this morning. 

Two men arrested on Friday continue to be held at a garda station and are still being questioned by senior detectives. They are being held under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, which allows them to be held for up to seven days.

Senior gardaí from the Kerry Division went before a special sitting of a court in the Southern region this morning seeking an extension of their detention.

The men are in their 40s and include a high-profile businessman. The other man is understood to have political connections.

The consignment seized on Friday morning was due to be exported and believed to be bound for Australia, which is one of the biggest consumers per person of crystal meth in the world.

Premises in Cork and Kerry were searched yesterday and two people were arrested after the discovery of hundreds of kilos of crystal meth.

Gardaí said the quantity seized totalled some 546kg.

The drugs would have a final estimated street value of €32.8m in Ireland, according to gardaí, but could be worth up to 10 times that in Australia.

Two people arrested two people, both Irish nationals, have been arrested in Kerry in what gardaí suspect is a major international drug trafficking operation.

Local gardaí in Kerry and Cork, assisted by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, are leading the investigation, assisted by Customs.

Meanwhile, the Mayor of Kerry, Cllr Jim Finucane, has spoken of the widespread shock at the scale of the seizure by Gardaí and the customs of a synthetic drug in Cork with what is believed to be links to Kerry.

He has also paid tribute to the work of the Kerry gardaí and Revenue and customs officials in the very challenging circumstances of investigating drugs.

"There is widespread shock and dismay particularly with the sale of the seizure," Jim Finucane, Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Councillor.

The Tralee councillor said his thoughts were particularly with "so many people and families" whose lives are being impacted by drugs in Kerry and in all counties.

Drugs were widespread and sums of money involved were 'luring' people into crime.

"But the consequences are devastating for themselves and their families," Mr Finucane said.

Gardaí in Kerry had done' excellent' work in leading to the significant drug seizure to take it off the streets, he said.