'These are not just guys enjoying a ride on them, these bikes are used for serious criminality'

Watch: Gardaí release video of 36 scrambler bikes and e-scooters seized in Dublin in follow-up on similar operation in Limerick

Operation Meacan: A still from the video of the bikes that the Dublin Metropolitan Region South and West divisions of An Garda Síochána seized on Thursday. 

Gardaí have seized 36 electric motorbikes, e-scooters and scrambler bikes in a major crackdown on vehicles suspected of being used to conduct serious criminality and terrorise communities in south and west Dublin.

A combined operation by various unarmed and armed garda units, involving 120 members, swooped on 40 properties on Thursday, targeting local gangs moving drugs and firearms on bikes.

Gardaí said the electric bikes were also being used by people to threaten and intimidate individuals and their families over drug debts.

Codenamed Operation Meacan, the crackdown was conducted across south west Dublin, focused on the general Tallaght area.

In addition to the bikes, gardaí seized a jet-ski and trailer worth around €10,000, almost €43,000 in cash, five designer watches and luxury clothing worth around €25,000.

The operation was praised by Dublin South-West Sinn Féin TD, Seán Crowe, who has long highlighted the damage caused by scramblers and local drug dealing on the community.

“This is a very positive development,” he told the Irish Examiner. “It has been raised at various JPCs [joint policing committees]. Residents have been tortured by these bikes and scramblers.

“And we can see from what the gardaí are saying these are not just guys enjoying a ride on them, these bikes are being used for serious criminality, like drug dealing.” 

Mr Crowe said a local woman was injured recently in a hit-and-run involving a scrambler as she walked to the local post office. Mr Crowe said: 

“This is a huge problem, and not just in this area. The first garda operation was in Limerick [last October], as soon as the legislation [tackling scramblers] was brought in. I hope this isn’t just a once off in this area.” 

In a statement, Garda HQ said both the Dublin South and West Divisions were involved in a “Day of Action” on Thursday.

“In December 2023, Operation Meacan commenced in the DMR South and is led by the Divisional Serious Crime Unit with support from the Community Engagement Unit and Community Policing Unit based in Tallaght, and the Divisional Roads Policing Unit,” the statement said.

“The aim of Operation Meacan is to tackle the use of electric motorbikes which are being used for criminal activity including drug dealing, money laundering, transporting firearms, Drug Related Intimidation (DRI) and other serious offences.” 

It said the electric motorbikes are often driven on footpaths, parks and laneways in order to avoid detection by gardaí.

It said 19 search teams, comprising 120 gardaí, searched 40 properties.

“Specialist units assisted in the Day of Action including the Armed Support Unit, the National Dog Unit, the Dublin Crime Response Team and Special Tactics and Operational Command (STOC).” 

It said the following was seized:

• 10 Surron electric motorbikes (with values ranging from €4,000 - €10,000);
• 12 motorbikes and scramblers;
• 12 electric bicycles and e-scooters;
• 3 quad bikes;
• 1 jet-ski and trailer (valued at approximately €10,000);
• €42,950 in cash;
• €8,000 worth of suspected cocaine and cannabis;
• 5 designer watches (including 1 Tag Heuer and 4 Rolex watches);
• Designer goods valued at approximately €25,000.

The statement said two people were arrested for the purpose of executing outstanding bench warrants.

“Since the commencement of Operation Meacan in December 2023 a total of 53 electric motorbikes with a combined value of approximately €300,000 have been seized,” it said.

“Over €80,000 in cash which is understood to be the proceeds of criminal activity has also been seized by Gardaí.”