Major Irish drug trafficking network hit by garda operation targeting encrypted phones

The phone network was used by criminal networks to order murders, drug shipments and money laundering.

The Europol headquarters in The Hague, Netherlands. Europol said the operation is the latest law enforcement initiative to 'disrupt the activities of high-risk criminal organisations' operating across the world. Picture: AP

One of Ireland’s biggest drug trafficking networks has been hit by Gardaí as part of an international operation targeting the use of encrypted phones by organised crime groups to order murders and drug shipments.

The Garda operation started on Monday night and continued on Tuesday and focused on various parts of Dublin, including the west and southwest of the city, as well as locations outside Dublin.