Man held in drugs raid released without charge

Gardaí yesterday released without charge two people they had been questioning about the seizure of €8 million worth of heroin on Saturday morning.

The man, in his 50s, and a woman in her 30s were two of six people taken into custody during raids on houses in Swords, Co Dublin, and Ratoath, Co Meath.

The other four people remain in custody in a number of Garda stations on the north side of Dublin. It is understood that they are part of an extended family.

Armed detectives seized about 30kg of heroin, five 9mm Glock semi-automatic pistols, a large quantity of ammunition and €14,000 in cash when they searched the homes in Swords and Ratoath on Saturday.

Gardaí initially believed they had seized cocaine and they valued the haul at €2 million. However, forensic analysis showed that the substance was heroin and had a much greater street value.

The raids were part of an ongoing operation targeting criminal gangs in north Dublin.

Head of the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Det Chief Supt Noel White, told RTÉ news that the semi-automatic pistols were fairly new and in good condition.

"These are . . . the tools of the trade of organised crime that we're seeing in the city at the present time and they certainly would give us concern," he said.

Minister for Justice Michael McDowell congratulated the gardaí for their successful operation. He described the seizure as a "significant breakthrough in what is a long war against the scourge of drug-related violence".

The five still being held are in their 30s and include three women. They are being detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act. Under this Act they must either be released or charged before Tuesday morning.