Latest news with #CriminalJusticeAct2007
Irish Examiner
03-07-2025
- Irish Examiner
Two men due in court in connection with €31m Courtmacsherry cocaine seizure
Two men are due in court on Thursday in connection with the seizure of €31m worth of cocaine in Cork. Officers from the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau discovered some 440kg worth of cocaine in a van that had been stopped in Courtmacsherry on Tuesday morning. Following the seizure two men, aged in their 30s and 40s, were arrested and detained at a Garda station in Co Cork under section 50 Criminal Justice Act 2007. They have since been charged and are due to appear before a sitting of Bandon District Court later this morning, gardaí said in a statement. Gardaí added that two other men, also aged in their 30s and 40s, who were arrested at Haulbowline Naval Base, remain detained at a Garda station in Co Cork under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2007. The arrests were part of a Joint Task Force Drugs Interdiction Operation.
Irish Independent
01-07-2025
- Irish Independent
Four people arrested following cocaine seizure worth €31m in Cork
The significant drugs haul is understood to have been brought ashore in the early hours of Tuesday morning after being collected by a 'landing crew'. A Joint Task Force had been established after intelligence was received about the maritime drug smuggling effort and involved gardaí, the Defence Forces and Revenue. Detectives from the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) stopped a van in Courtmacsherry, Cork, this morning as part of the investigation. A significant amount of cocaine, believed to be around 500 kilos, was recovered. While the weight of the drugs has yet to be confirmed, the initial figure indicates a street value of around €31 million. Two men, aged in their 30s and 40s, were arrested and are currently being held on organised crime offences. They have been described as the 'landing crew' of the operation who collected the drug shipment after it was brought to shore by another cell commonly referred to as the 'collection crew'. Elsewhere, the Irish Naval ship the LE William Butler Yeats responded to the departure of a rigid inflatable boat (RIB) from Broadstrand, Courtmacsherry. The LE William Butler Yeats had been on patrol in the area as part of the Joint Task Force operation. Maritime patrol aircraft from the Irish Air Corps provided overhead surveillance during the operation. Two Naval Service RIBs with members of the armed 'maritime interdiction team' were launched from LE William Butler Yeats and intercepted the suspect vessel off the coast of Cork. The suspect vessel was detained by Revenue Customs Service and the two men were taken on board the LE William Butler Yeats. The LE William Butler Yeats returned to Haulbowline Naval Base and both men, also aged in their 30s and 40s, were arrested by gardai and detained at a Garda Station in Co Cork under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007. Drug smuggling networks have been using cell structures in recent years to compartmentalise operations and protect the overall criminal network involved. Those involved in the operation included Scottish nationals and gardaí are inquiring if the drugs were destined for the UK market. In a statement gardaí said: 'A Joint task Force Drugs Interdiction operation is ongoing at this time in Co. Cork. 'This morning Gardaí from the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau stopped a van in the Courtmacsherry area of County Cork and a large quantity of suspected Cocaine has been recovered (exact quantity and value yet to be determined). 'Two males (30s and 40s) have been arrested and are currently detained in a Garda Station in Co. Cork under section 50 Criminal Justice Act 2007. 'The operation is supported by the Joint Task Force partners, Revenue's Customs Service, the Irish Naval Service, and local Gardaí and the Irish Air Corps. 'As this is an ongoing operation no further details are available at this time. 'Further updates will be provided in due course.' Tánaiste Simon Harris, who is also Defence Minister, said today: 'I have been briefed by the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces on today's significant joint-agency operation in Cork. 'I want to commend members of An Garda Síochána, Defence Forces, Naval Service and Revenue for their close collaboration in securing such a successful outcome.' While Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan posted on X: "Another major cocaine seizure worth up to €35m by @GardaInfo this morning. "Excellent cooperation involving Gardaí, @defenceforces and Revenue, and another example of our work to disrupt the criminal gangs involved".
Irish Independent
01-07-2025
- Irish Independent
Gardaí arrest two members of ‘landing crew' following seizure of cocaine worth €31m in Cork
The significant drugs haul is understood to have been brought ashore in the early hours of Tuesday morning after being collected by a 'landing crew'. A Joint Task Force had been established after intelligence was received about the maritime drug smuggling effort and involved gardaí, the Defence Forces, and Revenue. Detectives from the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) stopped a van in Courtmacsherry, Cork, this morning as part of the investigation. A significant amount of cocaine, believed to be around 500 kilos, was recovered. While the weight of the drugs has yet to be confirmed, the initial figure indicates a street value of around €35 million. Two men, aged in their 30s and 40s, were arrested and are currently being held on organised crime offences. They have been described as the 'landing crew' of the operation who collected the drug shipment after it was brought to shore by another cell commonly referred to as the 'collection crew'. Further arrests are also expected as part of the investigation. Drug smuggling networks have been using cell structures in recent years to compartmentalise operations and protect the overall criminal network involved. Those involved in the operation included Scottish nationals and gardaí are inquiring if the drugs were destined for the UK market. ADVERTISEMENT In a statement gardaí said: 'A Joint task Force Drugs Interdiction operation is ongoing at this time in Co. Cork. 'This morning Gardaí from the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau stopped a van in the Courtmacsherry area of County Cork and a large quantity of suspected Cocaine has been recovered (exact quantity and value yet to be determined). 'Two males (30s and 40s) have been arrested and are currently detained in a Garda Station in Co. Cork under section 50 Criminal Justice Act 2007. 'The operation is supported by the Joint Task Force partners, Revenue's Customs Service, the Irish Naval Service, and local Gardaí and the Irish Air Corps. 'As this is an ongoing operation no further details are available at this time. 'Further updates will be provided in due course.' Tánaiste Simon Harris, who is also Defence Minister, said today: 'I have been briefed by the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces on today's significant joint-agency operation in Cork. 'I want to commend members of An Garda Síochána, Defence Forces, Naval Service and Revenue for their close collaboration in securing such a successful outcome.' While Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan posted on X: "Another major cocaine seizure worth up to €35m by @GardaInfo this morning. "Excellent cooperation involving Gardaí, @defenceforces and Revenue, and another example of our work to disrupt the criminal gangs involved".
The Irish Sun
01-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
Major €35m drug bust as cops swoop on van in Cork after 500kg of cocaine smuggled ashore as two men, 30s & 40s, arrested
GARDAI have seized an estimated €35million worth of cocaine in a major operation in Cork. Two men, aged in their 30s and 40s, are in custody after officers from the It's understood the Gardai say the joint task force op - which includes Revenue's Customs Service, the Irish Naval Service, local gardai and the Irish Air Corps - remains ongoing and live. It is expected that further arrests will be made as part of the major investigation. The two men in custody are understood to be from the UK and Germany. READ MORE IN NEWS It is believed cops have seized around 500kg of cocaine, which is worth around €35m, however that is yet to be confirmed. A garda spokesman said: "A Joint task Force Drugs Interdiction operation is ongoing at this time in "This morning Gardai from the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau stopped a van in the Courtmacsherry area of County Cork and a large quantity of suspected Cocaine has been recovered (exact quantity and value yet to be determined). "Two males (30s and 40s) have been arrested and are currently detained in a Garda Station in Co Cork under section 50 Criminal Justice Act 2007. MOST READ ON THE IRISH SUN "The operation is supported by the Joint Task Force partners, Revenue's Customs Service, the Irish Naval Service, and local Gardai and the Irish Air Corps. "As this is an ongoing operation no further details are available at this time. Gardai roll out new tool in crackdown on e-scooters "Further updates will be provided in due course." Justice Minister "Excellent cooperation involving Gardai, Defence Forces and Revenue, and another example of our work to disrupt the criminal gangs involved." Fine Gael's Noel O'Donovan also commended the work of Gardai following the bust in his constituency. He added the removal of the drugs off Cork's streets was "very welcome". He said: "I'd like to commend the work of An Garda Síochána both local and national units in the significant detection of an estimated €30 million worth of drugs off the West Cork coast this morning. "The seizure and removal of €30 million worth of drugs off our streets, towns and villages is extremely welcome. "This capture in rural West Cork highlights again the need for more resources and more Gardai to prevent and detect crime in our local communities." 1 Gardai are expected to make further arrests Credit: Alamy
Sunday World
01-07-2025
- Sunday World
Two men (30s and 40s) arrested as gardai seize ‘large quantity' of cocaine in van in Co Cork
Officers with the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau intercepted the van in the Courtmacsherry area Two men have been arrested after gardai discovered a 'large quantity' of suspected cocaine in a van that was stopped in Co Cork this morning. Gardaí from the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau intercepted the van in the Courtmacsherry area as part of a joint Task Force Drugs Interdiction operation. Courtmacsherry, County Cork. Photo: Creative Commons Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 1st Gardai say the operation that is supported by Revenue's Customs Service, the Irish Naval Service, local gardaí and the Irish Air Corps is 'ongoing' and no further details are available. However, further updates will be provided 'in due course'. Meanwhile, the two men who were arrested, one in his 30s and the other in his 40s, are currently detained in a Garda Station in Co Cork under section 50 Criminal Justice Act 2007.
