Machine guns, pistols and drugs seized in operation targeting organised crime
By Jonathan McCambridge, Press Association
Gardaí have seized machine guns, pistols and drugs in an operation targeting organised crime in Laois and Kildare.
Assistant Commissioner Angela Willis said the seizures represented a “significant disruption of organised criminal activity”.
The operation from Friday to Sunday involved officers attached to the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB), supported by personnel from the Garda Eastern Region, the Dublin Crime Response Team and the Emergency Response Unit.
Searches at six locations in Laois and Kildare resulted in the seizure of 11 military grade firearms (three machine guns and eight pistols), ammunition and silencers as well as heroin, cocaine and cannabis with an estimated street value of more than €700,000.
Two men in their 40s were arrested and detained at stations in the midlands.
The firearms will be forwarded for technical examination by the Ballistics Section of the Garda Technical Bureau.
The seized drugs will be taken to Forensic Science Ireland for analysis.
Willis said: “This seizure represents a significant disruption of organised criminal activity and demonstrates An Garda Síochána’s commitment to protecting communities from those involved in serious and organised crime.
“The recovery of military-grade firearms, handguns and substantial quantities of illicit drugs has removed highly dangerous weapons and harmful substances from circulation, reducing the threat posed to the public and preventing significant criminal profits from being generated.
“This operation highlights the effectiveness of intelligence-led policing and the strong collaboration between An Garda Síochána and our national and international law enforcement partners.
“Organised crime groups operate across borders and exploit international supply chains, making co-operation and information-sharing essential to our response.”
Today's results demonstrate the tangible impact that co-ordinated European and international action can have in disrupting the business models of organised crime groups
She added: “The targeting of firearms trafficking and drug trafficking remains a key priority under the European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats (EMPACT), and aligns closely with priorities being advanced during Ireland’s presidency of the Council of the European Union.
“Today’s results demonstrate the tangible impact that co-ordinated European and international action can have in disrupting the business models of organised crime groups.
“This seizure is the culmination of significant activity conducted under Operation Tara in the week commencing Monday July 6.”
She said 11 people have been arrested in the past week for offences under organised crime, firearms and drug trafficking legislation.
More than €9 million of controlled drugs including heroin, cocaine and cannabis has been seized along with cannabis oil-infused vapes and jellies.
On Monday members of GNDOCB along with Revenue Customs officers and the Cork Divisional Drugs Unit seized 83.5kg of cannabis herb valued at 1.67 million euro. One male was arrested and charged.
On Tuesday they seized €1.93 million of cannabis herb at Hillcrest, Lucan. Three males were arrested and charged.
On Wednesday seven searches were carried out in the midlands, west and east of the country, and more than €2 million of cannabis products seized. Three males were arrested and charged.
On Thursday members of GNDOCB along with Revenue Customs service seized 23kg of cocaine valued at €1.6 million after the search of a container that had arrived at Dublin Port from South America.
Also on Thursday 73kg of cannabis herb valued at €1.46 million was seized. Two males were arrested at the scene and charged.
The seizures form part of Operation Tara.
