Garda suspended amid investigation into drugs taken from station

By Cillian Sherlock, PA

A garda arrested as part of an anti-corruption investigation into the removal of drugs from a garda station has been released without charge.

The officer, who has been suspended from duty, and five other people were arrested in connection with the removal of “a substantial quantity” of drugs from a station.

Detective gardaí, supported by the anti-corruption, drugs and organised crime units, carried out a number of searches and arrests in relation to organised crime within the Eastern Region on Wednesday.

Members of the anti-corruption unit arrested the member of An Garda Síochána, who was detained under organised crime legislation.

Gardaí investigating related alleged offences also arrested five people who are not members of An Garda Síochána.

One man in his 30s and a woman in her 40s were detained at garda stations in the midlands.

A man in his 40s was detained at a garda station in the east of the country in connection with related offences of alleged corruption.

Two other men in their 40s and 50s were arrested and detained under allegations of drug trafficking.

On Thursday, An Garda Síochána said all six have been released without charge and files are being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The garda was placed on suspension from duty immediately following release.

Investigations, which are being led by a Senior Investigating Officer from the Eastern Region, are continuing.