Ten firearms and drugs worth €5m seized in Dublin operations

Michael Bolton

Over €5 million worth of drugs and 10 firearms have been seized as part of a major Garda operation in Dublin.

Last Friday, a PM-63C RAK Semi-Automatic Machine Pistol, and nine x 9mm Rounds of Ammunition were recovered by gardaí in Clondalkin during the search of a house.

A man in his 20s was detained under section 30 Offences Against the State Act 1939 and subsequently released pending further investigations.

The next day, two firearms were recovered by gardaí in Ballyfermot following a search of a local park. No arrests have yet been made in connection with this discovery.

On Tuesday, the Dublin Crime Response Team conducted a planned search of a residential property in Fortunestown, Dublin 24, during which cannabis with an estimated value of €80,000 was seized.

A man in his 40s was subsequently arrested and charged in connection with the seizure.

The next day, officers from Ronanstown seized seven firearms and ammunition, along with cannabis and cocaine with a combined estimated value of €200,000, and €100,000 in cash following planned searches of four residential properties in the Clondalkin area.

Additionally, €67,000 was frozen in a bank account as a result of the searches. Tracker devices and mobile phones were also seized in the course of the operation.

Separately, gardaí also seized cannabis with an estimated value of €200,000 during a search of a vehicle on Beresford Street in Dublin 7. Two men in their 30s were arrested at the scene.

During a follow-up search at a residential property in Finglas cannabis with an estimated value of €300,000 was also seized, and a man in his late 20s was arrested.

Also on Wednesday, cannabis herb and cocaine valued at around €3 million was discovered at a business premises in Dublin 12. Three people were arrested in connection with this seizure and remain in Garda custody.

Commenting on the major operation, Assistant Commissioner for the Dublin Region Angela Willis said: "I wish to acknowledge the continuous efforts of our members working across the city in tackling serious criminality and those that cause the most harm to communities.

"Removing 10 lethal firearms from circulation will no doubt save many lives and contribute to our efforts to keep communities safe."

"The impact of the seizure of significant quantities of illicit drugs and cash, believed to represent the proceeds of criminality, will also ensure that we continue to affect the ability of criminal networks to operate in our communities," she added.