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Dublin Live
National
Kim O'Leary

Gang arrested after 'liquid cocaine' found in champagne bottles and millions worth of drugs and cash seized

Garda have seized drugs and cash in excess of €2 million and arrested seven men after a series of intelligence led operations in Dublin.

On Wednesday, personnel attached to the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, assisted by officers from within the Dublin Region, searched a residential premises in Beaumont in Dublin 9. A number of bottles of wine and champagne were located and seized. and, following a technical examination, it is suspected the seized bottles contain cocaine in liquid form.

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The cocaine seized is estimated to have a street value in excess of €150,000. One male, aged 20’s, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of drug trafficking and is currently detained pursuant to drug trafficking legislation at Ballymun Garda station.

In another operation undertaken on Wednesday, personnel attached to the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, supported by a Special Crime Task Force, intercepted a vehicle travelling on the M50. The investigation team also searched premises located in Palmerstown and the Dublin 2 area.

A garda spokesman said: "In the course of these searches, the investigation team located and seized substances believed to include cannabis, cocaine and heroin, which are now subject of forensic examination.

"At this time, it is the estimated street sale value of the drugs seized, is in excess of €2 million. A substantial quantity of cash, the extent of which is to be established, believed to be the proceeds of drug trafficking, was also located and seized.

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"Other items, including equipment used for the purpose of money counting and vacuum packing money and drugs along with communications devices and a substantial quantity of relevant documentation, were also located and seized. Five male suspects, aged between 20’s and 40’s were arrested on suspicion of involvement in drug trafficking and are currently detained pursuant to drug trafficking related legislation, at various Garda Siochana station located in Dublin.

"A sixth male suspect, aged 30’s, was arrested, today, in a follow up operation in the Dublin 2 area. This suspect was also arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking and is currently detained pursuant to drug trafficking legislation at Donnybrook Garda station.

Assistant Commissioner John O’Driscoll said: "The outcome of operational activity undertaken by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, supported by a number of other specialised units within the Garda Siochana, over the past twenty-four hours, is very significant and reflects exceptional policing skills along with dedication and bravery on the part of the personnel involved.

"Arising from the global aspect of the drug supply networks that deliver drugs to cities and towns in Ireland, Northern Ireland, the UK and elsewhere in Europe, the Garda Siochana has forged particularly strong and productive relationships with law enforcement entities in many countries across a number of continents.

"Again today the Garda Siochana and the people of Ireland reap the benefits of the Garda Siochana’s outreach at a global level."

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