Gardaí arrest Irish, Polish, Chinese and UK nationals in biggest drugs raid of year

The biggest Garda drugs raid of the year to date has seen 120 members of the force move in and search premises linked to Irish and foreign gangs involved in cannabis cultivation.

Seven suspects have been arrested – three from Ireland, two from Poland and one from Britain and one from China.

Two of those detained were charged last night and are to appear in court at a later date. The remainder were released without charge. Files are to be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

While the value of drugs seized was relatively small, at just over €100,000, gardaí said the strike was against a number of gangs and was aimed at disrupting their drugs enterprises.

Of the 11 premises raided where cannabis was discovered, gardaí found evidence of manufacturing in nine, suggesting commercial scale operations in which drugs were being harvested, dried and packaged for sale, as well as plants being cultivated.

Operation Nitrogen
Twenty premises were raided in what was a follow-up to Operation Nitrogen, which has been ongoing for a number of years and targets gangs involved in the grow house sector of the drugs underworld.

As well as the cannabis plants seized, gardaí also found a small quantity of cocaine.

The suspects are being held under section 2 of the Criminal Justice Act and are being questioned at Clondalkin, Blanchardstown, Donnybrook, Bray and the Bridewell Garda stations.

Gardaí believe the drugs trade has begun to rally having been hit hard since the 2008 economic collapse.

The value of illegal drugs seized last year increased to €115.4 million.

Total drug seizures topped €100 million annually in the economic boom years, but in 2009 fell to €42 million and was lower again in 2010, at €28 million.