Gardaí investigating drugs-related intimidation make six arrests

The people detained range in age from 20s to 50s

On Tuesday morning, gardaí raided 11 homes across south and west Dublin. File photo: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie

Gardaí have arrested six men as part of an investigation into drugs-related intimidation which allegedly involved the false imprisonment and assault of a man earlier this month.

On Tuesday morning, gardaí raided 11 homes across south and west Dublin and arrested the six men for offences under Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2006.

The detained range in age from 20s to 50s and are now being held at garda stations in the Dublin Region under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act.

"During this morning’s operation investigating gardaí from the serious crime unit DMR South were assisted by gardaí from serious crime unit DMR West, the Dublin Crime Response Team (DCRT) the Emergency Response Unit (ERU) and Armed Support Unit (ASU) attached to Special Tactics and Operations Command (STOC) as well as frontline uniform gardaí and other support units," a spokesperson said.

"Items of evidential value, including electronic devices, were recovered during the search operations and will now be the subject of further technical examinations. Investigations are ongoing."

The spokesperson said the force would appeal to any person, persons or family who is being subjected to drug-related intimidation to contact An Garda Síochána as soon as possible.

"An Garda Síochána has a specific, dedicated and confidential Drug Related Intimidation (DRI) Reporting Programme, with nominated inspectors nationwide available to advise, support and assist those affected," they said.

"The Garda DRI programme is run in conjunction with DRIVE (Drug Related Intimidation & Violence Engagement) an interagency project, supported by the Department of Health to respond to drug-related intimidation and associated violence in Ireland."