A bank official was last night being questioned on suspicion of money laundering after he and two associates were arrested and €700,000 worth of cocaine seized. Up to €100,000 in cash was also taken.
The three men were arrested at two houses in the early hours of yesterday morning in Garristown and Balbriggan, both in north county Dublin. Garda sources believe the house in Garristown, where two of the arrests were made, was being used as a cocaine-processing plant.
When gardaí moved in on the rented house in Garristown, they found the cocaine along with other drug paraphernalia. A 26-year man from Summerhill, Dublin, and a 32-year-man with an address in Balbriggan were arrested at the scene.
Gardaí also raided a house in Balbriggan where they arrested a 26-year-old man. This man works in a bank just outside Dublin city centre. They found up to €100,000 in cash.
Gardaí are now investigating whether this man had been using his position in the bank to launder drugs money.
The three suspects are being held at Balbriggan and Drogheda Garda stations. They can be held for seven days without charge.