Gardaí seize €250k cash, vehicles worth €100k, and deeds for Spanish properties

The raids were carried out on 38 homes and three business premises across Dublin and Kildare, as well as a safety deposit box

A Citroën Dispatch with a hidden compartment for drugs, cash, and firearms was seized. File picture: Wikimedia Commons

Gardaí have seized over €250,000 in cash and four vehicles worth more than €100,000 during raids targeting a drug-trafficking network based in the east of the country. 

In a co-ordinated operation on Tuesday and Wednesday law enforcement officials searched 38 homes, three business premises, and a safety deposit box, across the greater Dublin area and Co Kildare. 

Some €263,500 in cash was seized along with a Volkswagen Golf GTI valued at approximately €40,000, a Mercedes CLA Estate valued at approximately €40,000, and a Yamaha R1 motorcycle valued at approximately €20,000. A Citroën Dispatch van with a hidden compartment beneath its interior, used to transport drugs, cash, and firearms, was also seized. 

Tablets seized

So too were €109,000 worth of suspected zopiclone tablets and €4,000 worth of alprazolam tablets.

Gardaí also uncovered and seized bank drafts for €40,000, the deeds for three Spanish properties, as well as two cash-counting machines. 

Finally, officers also confiscated a a number of designer watches and €50,000 worth of assorted designer clothing and footwear.

A Garda spokesperson confirmed that one male has been arrested in connection with this operation. He is being held in a Dublin Garda station under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006.

"Investigations are ongoing," the spokesperson said.