Armed detectives accompanied a world-beating horse to the Punchestown races to protect it from criminals.
The High Court was told on Tuesday by the Chief Superintendent Pat Clavin that Labaik had been seized by his officers.
CAB has alleged the horse, who won the Supreme Novice’s Hurdle at Cheltenham in 2017, was bought with the proceeds of crime by convicted drug dealer John Boylan.
The Dubliner was in court yesterday for the hearing in which bureau is seeking an order to seize the horse.
Boylan, 32, from Clondalkin, Dublin, is making a counter claim for compensation because the horse, part-owned by renowned trainer Gordon Elliot, was injured during a race.
Grand National 2019: Bookies braced for worst ever day if favourite Tiger Roll wins
Chief Supt Clavin, who is head of the CAB, told the court the bureau had agreed to allow Labaik race.
The court heard Mr Elliot, who has no connection to criminality, believed its value would fall if it was not raced.
Mr Clavin said: “The horse was allowed to race under supervision of members of An Garda Siochana.”
Bookies reveal the most popular horses ahead of the Grand National
CAB is seeking to seize the racehorse, which was purchased for €28,000 in April 2016.
There was also an associated bank account containing winnings of €77,900, a mobile home worth €33,000, a house in Rathcoole, Dublin, and a 2015 E-Class Mercedes which was bought for €28,000.
Boylan, who also uses the name John Power, has 67 previous convictions, including two drugs offences. The case continues.
