Foreign intelligence played a key role in uncovering a Kinahan-linked cocaine smuggling route which was broken up by gardaí this week.
During a series of raids in Dublin on Wednesday and Thursday, members of the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau arrested seven men and seized more than €2 million worth of drugs, along with up to €500,000 in cash.
The seizures included cocaine, worth about €150,000, which had been liquidised and stored in wine and champagne bottles.
It is understood the wine bottles were professionally sealed when they were found. This is the first time this smuggling method has been detected in Ireland.
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Garda sources said on Thursday that criminals are using increasingly sophisticated methods of cocaine smuggling to avoid detection, including methods that require advanced chemistry knowledge.
This week’s operation, which targeted both Irish and foreign national criminals, was aided by foreign intelligence from several European police forces, sources said. It’s understood Brazilian police also provided intelligence.
During one of the arrest operation in the south inner city on Wednesday, three men attempted to flee by swimming across the Liffey. Two were apprehended after gardaí swam after them while the third was arrested on Thursday.
A number of the suspects have links to the Kinahan group. The men, who range in age from their 20s to their 40s, are being questioned at various Garda stations.
The raids took place in Beaumont, Palmerstown and the city centre. The operation also saw a vehicle being stopped by gardaí on the M50.
A man aged in his 20s who was arrested at a residential property in Beaumont on Wednesday in connection with the investigation has since been charged.
The man is due to appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice on Friday morning.
All six men of the second operation remain in Garda custody. Gardaí have said investigations are ongoing.
As well as cocaine, gardaí seized cannabis and heroin along with phones, money counting machines and devices for vacuum packing money and drugs.
Assistant Commissioner John O’Driscoll said the operation “reflects exceptional policing skills along with dedication and bravery on the part of the personnel involved”.
He said it is “the result of links forged by gardaí with international law enforcement agencies across many countries”.
“Again today the Garda Síochána and the people of Ireland reap the benefits of the Garda Síochána’s outreach at a global level.”
He said those arrested “operate at a significant level within the world of organised crime”.
“A drug trafficking route has been identified and disrupted and a new method of concealing controlled substances has been identified and exposed,” Mr O’Driscoll said.
