UK police have successfully intercepted the operations of a Balkans criminal group, thought to be predominantly involved in the Irish drug trade. In a series of raids triggered by intelligence in Dublin’s centre, they seized €500,000 and arrested a woman. Additionally, tools and paperwork linked with the packaging of drugs and cash were uncovered.
The Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (DOCB) located the money during these searches. The investigation was centered around a crime group composed primarily of Albanian natives. They have participated in cocaine distribution across Europe and maintain a presence in Ireland as part of their operations.
The seized cash represents a significant figure in the landscape of the Republic’s organised crime. This event traces back to an operation from the previous year in which a drug gang of Albanian origin was connected to one of Ireland’s largest cocaine recovery operations in 2023.
Alarm has escalated among UK authorities as they realise the breadth of Albanian criminal networks embracing Ireland and, subsequently, claiming a sizeable part of Britain’s cocaine market. This operation involves the sale of drugs to the Irish market and the strategic use of Ireland as a staging ground for the larger illegal drugs market in Britain.
Assistant Commissioner Justin Kelly hailed the seizure of the massive cash sum as a significant setback for the malevolent organisation during the Friday raid in Dublin. He conveyed his appreciation for the dedication of the Gardaí participating in this operation, identifying this as a testament to their commitment to dismantle criminal enterprises and thwart money laundering. The DOCB has placed a high emphasis on cash seizures due to the fundamental role of cash in facilitating criminal ventures.
On conducting their searches in Dublin 2 on a Friday, the DOCB Gardaí seized the money. The press were, however, not informed until the following day. A woman arrested in her 40s is suspected of closely related offences under Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2006. Alongside the cash, vacuum packaging machinery and documents were impounded and are currently under analysis, forming part of the ongoing probe.
A Garda statement issued on Saturday revealed that the suspect was being held at a Garda station in the Dublin region under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2007; hence she potentially faces a detention spell of up to seven days.