Over the period of a week, over 20 busts were executed in Dublin by the Gardaí, resulting in the seizure of ten firearms and an assortment of narcotics valued at approximately €5 million. The operations were directed at significant crimes and curbing the unlawful distribution of drugs within the city.
Last Friday, a young man in his 20s was apprehended by officers in Clondalkin after they discovered a semi-automatic machine pistol and nine ammunition rounds in a house following a search operation. The man, arrested under the 1939 Offences against the State Act, was later discharged “subject to ongoing inquiries”.
On the following day, two firearms were uncovered by Gardaí in a Ballymun park; the find has not yet led to any arrests.
The Garda’s Dublin Crime Response Team discovered cannabis worth €80,000 on Tuesday during a premeditated search of a residence in Fortunestown, a southwest district of Dublin. A middle-aged man was arrested in association with the seizure and was subsequently charged.
Ronanstown Gardaí seized seven firearms, ammunition, and an assortment of cannabis and cocaine worth a combined €300,000 following the search of four residences in Clondalkin on Wednesday.
Further investigations into the Clondalkin busts led to the seizure of tracker devices and mobile phones and resulted in €67,000 being frozen in a bank account; the investigation continues.
Another operation on Wednesday resulted in the seizure of cannabis worth about €200,000 following a vehicle search on Beresford Street, Dublin 7. Two men were apprehended onsite and remained in custody on Thursday evening.
An ensuing search at a residence in Finglas led to the seizure of cannabis worth roughly €300,000. A young man was taken into custody where he remained on Thursday evening.
A consequent bust was conducted at a business establishment in Dublin 12, leading to the seizure of cannabis and cocaine estimated at €3 million.
On the same day, in an unrelated operation, herbal cannabis weighing 55kg and valued at €1.1 million was discovered concealed in a van by customs officials associated with Revenue. The van arrived at Dublin Port by ferry from the UK.
Following the discovery, a man in his 50s was arrested and remained in Garda custody under drug trafficking legislation as of Thursday evening.
Assistant Commissioner for the Dublin region, Angela Willis, has come forward to commend the continual dedication of the An Garda Síochána constituents stationed in Dublin, focusing specifically on their counteraction of extreme criminal activity and addressing those individuals who inflict the most damage to local communities. Undeniably, the retrieval of 10 lethal firearms will play a substantial part in the saving of many lives, whilst also bolstering our endeavours to secure safer environments for our communities.
Moreover, Willis emphasised the significant effect that the impoundment of massive quantities of unlawful substances and money, thought to be the results of illegal activities, will have on hampering the operations of criminal gangs within our society.