Thursday 29 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 7703Drug trafficking (cannabis and zopiclone) · Co. Dublin · 5 Aug 2023

€200,000 drugs seized and man arrested in Blanchardstown, Dublin 15

On Saturday 5 August 2023, gardaí searched an abandoned car in Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, during a mobile patrol as part of Operation Tara and seized cannabis herb and zopiclone tablets worth approximately €200,000. A man in his 30s was arrested as part of the investigation and detained at a Garda station in North Dublin under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996. He was later charged, and the drugs are with Forensic Science Ireland for analysis. The latest development is that he is due to appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice on Monday 7 August 2023 at 10.30am, and investigations are ongoing.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Charged5 Aug
    2 reports
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Gardaí seized cannabis herb and zopiclone tablets with an estimated combined value of about €200,000.
Where
The drugs were found in an abandoned car in Blanchardstown, Dublin 15.
When
The seizure and arrest happened on Saturday 5 August 2023.
Cause
Gardaí attached to Blanchardstown uniform patrol came upon the abandoned vehicle while on a mobile patrol as part of Operation Tara.
Investigation
  • Gardaí searched the vehicle, and a man in his 30s was arrested as part of the investigation.
  • The seized drugs are being analysed by Forensic Science Ireland.
  • Investigations are ongoing, according to a garda spokeswoman.
Other details
The man was detained at a Garda station in North Dublin under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996.
Charges
The man has been charged.
In court
The man is due to appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice, Court Number 1, on Monday 7 August 2023 at 10.30am.
18 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatGardaí seized cannabis herb and zopiclone tablets worth about €200,000 combined. (garda.ie)
  • whatGardaí seized cannabis herb and zopiclone tablets with an estimated combined value of about €200,000. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whereThe man was detained at a Garda station in North Dublin under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996. (garda.ie, dublinlive.ie)
  • whereThe drugs were found in an abandoned car in Blanchardstown. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whenThe seizure and arrest happened on Saturday 5 August 2023. (garda.ie)
  • whenThe seizure was made on Saturday 5 August. (dublinlive.ie)
  • causeGardaí came upon an abandoned vehicle in Blanchardstown while on a mobile patrol as part of Operation Tara. (garda.ie)
  • investigationGardaí searched the vehicle. (garda.ie)
  • investigationThe seized drugs are being analysed by Forensic Science Ireland. (garda.ie)
  • investigationA man in his 30s was arrested as part of the investigation. (garda.ie)
  • investigationThe search was part of Operation Tara. (dublinlive.ie)
  • investigationThe seizure was made during a mobile patrol. (dublinlive.ie)
  • investigationA man aged in his 30s was arrested as part of the investigation. (dublinlive.ie)
  • investigationThe drugs are being analysed by Forensic Science Ireland. (dublinlive.ie)
  • investigationInvestigations are ongoing, according to a garda spokeswoman. (dublinlive.ie)
  • chargeThe man has been charged. (garda.ie, dublinlive.ie)
  • courtThe man is due to appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice on Monday 7 August 2023 at 10.30am. (garda.ie)
  • courtThe man is expected to appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice the following morning at 10.30am. (dublinlive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 6 Aug2023
    Chargeddublinlive.ie, first report
    Man arrested and charged after €200k worth of drugs found in Blanchardstown

    Initial report of the seizure, the arrest and the charge, with the court date (Criminal Courts of Justice, 10.30am the following morning) and that investigations are ongoing.

    accused, 30s, male
  2. 5 Aug2023
    Chargedgarda.ie, first report
    Operation Tara: €200,000 Drugs Seized and One Arrest, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15. 5th August, 2023.

    Garda press release on a single seizure and arrest in Blanchardstown. States the man has been charged and sets a court date of Monday 7 August 2023. Drugs are with Forensic Science Ireland for analysis.

    suspect, 30s, male