Garda still held over drug find

A garda and a suspected drug dealer arrested in connection with a drug seizure are still being questioned by gardaí.

The pair were arrested in Dublin’s north inner city as they were engaging in an alleged drug transaction.

Detectives are working on the theory that the garda, who is in his 20s and is stationed in Dublin, was about to buy cocaine valued at about €800 from the other man.

The Irish Times understands the garda was under investigation after being seen mixing with criminals in dealings not believed to be connected to his work in the force.

Gardaí put a surveillance operation in place and when the garda met the suspected drug dealer on Ormond Quay on Monday afternoon they were both arrested.

The two were detained under Section 2 of the Drug Trafficking Act and were still being held last night at Store Street and Kevin Street Garda stations in Dublin’s inner city. They can be held for up to seven days without charge.

Investigating gardaí are trying to establish if the arrested garda had a drug habit and was buying the drugs for his own consumption.

While the quantity of drugs involved was relatively large for a single purchase for personal consumption, it would not be regarded as large enough to suggest it was being sourced to be sold on to other parties.

Drug seizures large enough to suggest the purchaser was sourcing them for resale to others may result in a charge of drug dealing rather than the more minor offence of possessing drugs for personal use.

The garda at the centre of the case has been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.

The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission has also been informed of the case. However, the case is being dealt with as a criminal, rather than an ombudsman’s matter.