Gardaí close to submitting file to DPP on leaders of 'The Family' drug gang

‘The Family’ was hit again in a swoop on a distribution centre in Laois, with the seizure of 116kgs of cocaine

Cocaine, totalling 116kg, was buried near a property in the Kilnaseer area of Co Laois, and a man was arrested at a home in nearby Rathdowney.

Gardaí are close to submitting a file to the DPP seeking charges against the leaders of Ireland’s number one drug trafficking network.

It comes as the gang, known as ‘The Family’, was hit again this week in a swoop on a distribution centre in Co Laois, with the seizure of 116kgs of cocaine.

It brings the amount of cocaine seized by gardaí and Revenue this month alone to almost 580kgs — and over 1.5 tonnes for the year so far.

The unique case against The Family is built on evidence from hacked encrypted communications, obtained by foreign police forces, attributed to the brothers who run the gang.

The DPP will have to assess whether the Irish courts will admit the phone evidence. 

If the DPP gives the green light for charges, it is likely lawyers for the gang will take a challenge.

It is understood the case involves corroborating the phone conversations with surveillance of the suspects at the times of the calls. 

Gardaí hope to secure charges of directing a criminal organisation or, at least, of facilitating a criminal organisation.

The Irish Examiner understands the file, thought to be substantial in both detail and evidence, is at an “advanced stage” of being sent to the DPP.

The file stems from the Garda’s involvement in a two-year international policing operation, culminating in September 2024, targeting the ‘Ghost’ encrypted phone network.

The Family is considered by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (DOCB) as the number one drug trafficking gang in the country, having assumed the mantle from the Kinahan crime cartel.

The gang, based in the Ballyfermot area of west Dublin, has dominated the heroin trade for more than 20 years. 

In the last seven years or so, it has branched into the lucrative cocaine trade, and the cannabis market.

It is estimated that the gang imports in the region of 100kg of cocaine every two months to maintain supply levels — with that supply accelerating for the Christmas market.

The Family supplies substantial quantities of drugs for gangs all over the island, “north and south”.

In its latest operation, DOCB searched a home and adjacent lands in rural Co Laois on Tuesday.

Cocaine, totalling 116kg, was buried near the property in the Kilnaseer area, and a man was arrested at a home in nearby Rathdowney.

The focus of the Garda operation was on the gang’s “wholesaler”, who organises the national distribution network. 

The operation is being seen as a “good disruption” of the network.

The man arrested is considered to be “extremely significant” and alleged as a person the gang “can’t operate without”.