14 DAY TRIAL // Irish authorities arrested two men and seized cannabis worth up to €1.5 million ($2.08 million) yesterday, reports say. According to the Irish Mirror, officers from the National Drugs Unit discovered the drugs at a Dublin business park.
Gardai stopped two vehicles at Northwest Business Park near Blanchardstown early in the morning. After searching the cars, they found cannabis herb with an estimated value of €1.5m ($2.08m).
The two men, in their 30s and 40s, were detained and brought to Finglas and Clondalkin Garda Stations, where they remain under the provisions of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996. The drugs discovered in their cars were seized and have been sent for further analysis.
Apparently, the seizure was part of an intelligence led operation targeting the activities of a Tallaght-based organized crime gang. The Garda National Drug Unit and the Tallaght District Drug Unit collaborated to successfully complete this anti-drug trafficking operation.
“These operations use advanced analytical and intelligence methods to disrupt criminals and dismantle their networks. Drug seizures play a critical role in targeting the livelihood of criminals and reducing their ability to carry out illegal activities,” a statement issued by the Garda says, as reported by Waterford News&Star.
“Drug seizures also help protect communities from the devastating impact of drugs and the associated criminality,” it continues.
This significant haul comes just days after police has made another major seizure last Friday. In that operation, members of the Garda National Drugs Unit intercepted the handover of a drug shipment in the car park of the Ikea superstore in north Dublin and seized €5.5 million ($7.6 million) worth of cannabis. Three men were arrested in relation to the marijuana haul.
In another incident, four men in their 20s were detained in connection with the seizure of cocaine and cannabis worth €20,000 ($27,760). The drugs were discovered during a series of raids at six locations in the Wicklow and Kildare area. The four suspects are currently being held in custody for questioning.
Marijuana and any activity associated with it is illegal in Ireland, and these operations are proof that drug trafficking is a growing problem in the country. Recent reports indicate that Gardai have taken an estimated €16.5 million ($22.9 million) worth of drugs off the streets in the last month alone.
When it comes to marijuana consumption, Ireland has removed cannabis from all other scheduled drugs and it acts under basically a three-strike law – third offense – and you are hauled into court and will probably be jailed for a brief time.