Ireland Around 40kg of cocaine found on two Donegal beaches
Two packages believed to contain cocaine, estimated at 40 kilograms with a street value of almost €3 million, were found washed up on two Donegal beaches on Wednesday 19 July 2023. Walkers discovered the first package at Ballyhiernan Beach, Fanad, at around 8.30am, and a second at Tramore Beach, Dunfanaghy, about half an hour later. Gardaí believe the packages were thrown from a vessel whose crew feared they were under surveillance. An investigation led by Milford Garda Station was launched with the Garda Air Support Unit and Garda Water Unit, and the packages were sent to Forensic Science Ireland for formal analysis. No suspect has been identified or arrested as of the latest reporting.
- Reported19 Jul
5 reports - Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Packages believed to contain cocaine, estimated at 40 kilograms with a street value of almost €3 million, were found washed up on the Donegal coast.
- Where
- The first package was found at Ballyhiernan Beach, Fanad, and a second at Tramore Beach, Dunfanaghy, both in County Donegal.
- When
- The packages were discovered on Wednesday morning, 19 July 2023, at around 8.30am and about half an hour later.
- Cause
- Gardaí believe the packages were thrown from a vessel whose crew feared they were under surveillance.
- Investigation
- An investigation led by Milford Garda Station was launched with the Garda Air Support Unit, Garda Water Unit, and Divisional Scenes of Crime Unit.
- Both packages were recovered and sent to Forensic Science Ireland for formal analysis.
- Searches were under way along the north Donegal coastline and a public appeal was made for landowners and coastline users to report any similar packages.
- Other details
- The packages were packed into bales wrapped in black plastic, and one eyewitness described a package as the size of a suitcase.
- Gardaí had been monitoring the potential trafficking of illegal drugs into the county in the days before the discovery.
38 statements extracted from the articles
- whatPackages believed to contain cocaine were found washed up on the Co Donegal coast (rte.ie)
- whatSubstantial quantities of a substance believed to be cocaine were found by gardaí at locations off the coast near Dunfanaghy and Fanad. (donegallive.ie)
- whatA cargo of cocaine, believed to be valued at almost €3 million, was found washed up at two Donegal beaches. (donegallive.ie)
- whatThe drugs were packed into bales wrapped in black plastic. (donegallive.ie)
- whatThe packages are suspected of containing a substance believed to be cocaine. (donegallive.ie)
- whatSuspected cocaine packages were discovered on the Donegal coastline. (extra.ie)
- whereA second similar package was found at Tramore Beach, Dunfanaghy (rte.ie)
- wherePackages washed up at locations near Fanad and Dunfanaghy. (donegallive.ie)
- whereThe first package was found at Ballyhiernan Beach, Fanad, at around 8.30am. (donegallive.ie)
- whereA similar package was found about half an hour later at Tramore Beach, Dunfanaghy. (donegallive.ie)
- wherePackages were found at two locations in Donegal. (donegallive.ie)
- whereThe packages were found by two walkers at two remote beaches. (donegallive.ie)
- whenGardaí were alerted to the discovery of a package at around 8.30am (rte.ie)
- whenOfficers found packages washed up along the coastline on a Wednesday morning. (donegallive.ie)
- whenThe packages were found on a Wednesday morning. (donegallive.ie)
- whenTwo packages were found on Wednesday morning. (donegallive.ie)
- causeGardaí believe the packages were thrown from a vessel whose crew feared surveillance. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationGardaí recovered both packages for analysis by Forensic Science Ireland (rte.ie)
- investigationA technical examination is under way at both scenes (rte.ie)
- investigationGarda Air Support Unit, Garda Water Unit and other state and voluntary services are involved (rte.ie)
- investigationSearches are under way along the north Donegal coastline and will continue over the coming days (rte.ie)
- investigationGardaí are appealing to landowners and coastline users to be conscious of the packages (rte.ie)
- investigationAnyone who finds a similar package is asked to contact Milford Garda Station, their local garda station, or the Garda Confidential Phone (rte.ie)
- investigationAn investigation has been launched into what is believed to be a major drugs find in Donegal. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationGardaí had been monitoring the potential trafficking of illegal drugs into the county in recent days. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationThe packages have been sent to Forensic Science Ireland for analysis. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationThe scenes were examined by the Divisional Scenes of Crime Unit. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationGardaí in Milford were alerted and an investigation involving the Garda Air Support Unit and the Garda Water Unit has begun. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationThe packages had not yet been formally analysed, and sources suggested they could contain as much as 40kg of cocaine. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationGardaí in Milford appealed to landowners and coastal users to be alert for similar packages. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationAn investigation led by Milford Garda Station was launched with help from the Garda Air Support Unit and Garda Water Unit. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationSamples have been sent to Forensic Science Ireland for formal analysis. (donegallive.ie)
- otherThe packages washed up at remote locations and their contents will be sent for analysis. (donegallive.ie)
- otherGardaí said the packages contain a substance believed to be a controlled drug, subject to analysis and confirmation by Forensic Science Ireland. (donegallive.ie)
- otherAn eye-witness said one package was the size of a suitcase. (donegallive.ie)
- otherThe monitoring operation was trained on marine vessels in the Atlantic Ocean. (donegallive.ie)
- otherThe packages are believed to contain an estimated 40 kilograms of cocaine, with a street value of about €2.5m to €3m. (donegallive.ie)
- otherOne eyewitness said one package was the size of a suitcase. (donegallive.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 20 Jul2023Donegal Gardai search for further discarded cocaine after major find
First report of the find. The article gives the find as Wednesday and was published 20 July 2023, so the date is inferred as 19 July 2023. No suspect or arrest is reported.
- 19 Jul2023Suspected Cocaine Packages Discovered On Donegal Coastline
Brief report confirming the discovery of suspected cocaine packages on the Donegal coastline; the article body contains no additional details beyond the headline.
- 19 Jul2023Washed-up cocaine haul could be valued at almost €3million
Adds the estimated value of almost €3 million, the Tramore Beach find, the packaging, the suitcase-sized package described by a witness, the forensic and scene examination, and the Garda public appeal. Says the packages have not yet been formally analysed and could contain as much as 40kg of cocaine.
- 19 Jul2023Gardai find 'significant' drugs haul washed up off on Donegal coast
Adds that gardaí had been monitoring possible drug trafficking into the county in recent days, that a source called the find 'significant', and that a Garda spokesperson said the substance is subject to analysis and confirmation by Forensic Science Ireland.
- 19 Jul2023Suspected drug packages wash up on Co Donegal coast
Adds investigation details: Forensic Science Ireland analysis of both packages, technical examination at both scenes, involvement of Garda Air Support Unit and Garda Water Unit, ongoing searches along the north Donegal coastline, and a public appeal to landowners and coastline users to report any similar packages.