Couple freed in cocaine factory case

A couple held in connection with the discovery of a “sophisticated cocaine factory” in Tallaght have been released.

The 24-year-old woman and 29-year-old man have been under arrest since last Thursday after gardaí uncovered the cocaine mixing and bagging operation controlled by a south Dublin gang. A file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Detectives believe the couple have been working for a crime gang involved in a gangland feud with another gang in the suburbs of Crumlin and Drimnagh, both in southwest Dublin.

Gardaí investigating the activities of one of those gangs on Sunday night raided a house on Corrib Road, Terenure, south Dublin. Cocaine with a potential street value of €9.5 million was found in vacuum-packed slabs. Two handguns were also found at the house.

Gardaí identified the Terenure property during the course of their investigation into drugs seized in the house in Tallaght. The drugs found in both properties are owned by the same gang.

Gardaí believe the drugs found in Terenure on Sunday night would have been brought to the Tallaght property for “processing” had the haul not been seized.

Gardaí believe the couple are working for one of the leaders of one of the gangs involved in the Crumlin-Drimnagh feud.