Two men arrested after €30 million worth of cocaine seized in Co Cork

Michael Bolton

Two men have been arrested after a large quantity of cocaine, worth around €30 million, was seized in Co Cork on Tuesday morning.

Gardaí from the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau stopped a van in the Courtmacsherry area of County Cork, and a large quantity of suspected cocaine was recovered.

Two men, aged in their 30s and 40s, have been arrested and are being held in a Garda station in Co Cork.

This Joint Task Force Drugs Interdiction operation is ongoing at this time.

The operation is supported by the Joint Task Force partners, Revenue's Customs Service, the Irish Naval Service, and local Gardaí and the Irish Air Corps.

West Cork Fine Gael Senator Noel O’Donovan commended the work of local and national units of An Garda Síochána as well as the Naval Service and Air Corps in the major drugs bust.

O’Donovan said the two arrested suspects attempted to flee from the patrolling navy in a rigid hulled inflatable boat (PHIB).

“Early indications say this operation was under surveillance for the last number of days so that is a testament to all involved for their professionalism and success in combating the importation of drugs into this country and it’s further transportation,” he said.

“This is a significant detection – the biggest drug bust in the country this year. In West Cork, we are well aware how narcotics can be smuggled into this country and the European continent.

“All involved in this operation – An Garda Síochána, Naval Service, Air Corps – have worked extremely well together and shown their capabilities in taking on evil criminal gangs and international drug smugglers.

"‘This capture highlights again the increased need for further Garda resources in West Cork - more Gardai patrolling our rural areas prevents and deters criminal activity."