Three arrested as gardaí seize €14.1m worth of drugs in major operation

The suspects are currently detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996, at Garda stations in the Eastern Region. Picture: Garda Info

Three men have been arrested following a major intelligence-led operation by the Dublin Crime Response Team (DCRT) in Mountmellick, County Laois, and other locations on Tuesday evening.

Gardaí seized approximately 182kg of cocaine and 4kg of cannabis herb, with an estimated street value exceeding €12.8m. 

The suspects are currently detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996, at Garda stations in the Eastern Region. They can be questioned for a period of up to seven days.

In a follow-up search in west Dublin, approximately 17kg of cocaine were seized along with €25,000 in cash.

The drugs seized in Tuesday's operation. Picture: Garda Info

Eight vehicles and drugs paraphernalia were also seized in the course of the operation.

The total estimated value of all of the drugs seized is more than €14.1m.

Assistant commissioner Paul Cleary described the operation as a significant strike against organised crime, saying: "This intelligence-led operation conducted by the Dublin Crime Response Team (DCRT) has taken down the main supply network for cocaine and crack cocaine into West Dublin.

"This operation targeting the sourcing, preparation and distribution of substantial quantities of these illicit drugs, stopped them from entering our communities and is another significant blow to an Organised Criminal Group."

Gardaí say investigations are ongoing.