Man detained after cannabis seizure

A man in his 40s has been arrested after Revenue officers seized 35kgs of herbal cannabis in Cork county yesterday.

The cannabis is estimated to have a street value of €700,000.

The seizure was made as a result of a joint intelligence operation conducted by Revenue’s Customs Service, the Garda National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) and the Cork Divisional Drugs Unit.

The man, aged 49, was arrested at the scene of the seizure and is being detained under Section 2 of The Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996 at Togher Garda Station.

Both Revenue and An Garda Síochána have confirmed that investigations are ongoing.

The operation was part of Revenue’s ongoing joint investigations targeting organised crime groups and the importation, sale and supply of illegal drugs.

If businesses, or members of the public, have any information regarding drug smuggling, they can contact Revenue in confidence on 1800-295295.

A spokesperson from An Garda Síochána said: “On 29 September 2022 as part of ongoing investigations targeting organised crime groups operating in the southern region, a Joint intelligence led operation was conducted by the Garda National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau, the Revenue Commissioners Customs Service, and the Cork Divisional Drugs Unit.

“During the course of this operation, 35kgs of herbal cannabis with an estimated value of €700,000 was seized by Customs officers."

The spokesperson added: “Gardaí arrested a 49 year old male at the scene and he is presently being detained under Section 2 of The Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996 at Togher Garda Station. Investigations are continuing.”