Ireland Crime

First report of the Operation Tara discovery of a cocaine-mixing facility in Dublin 12, including the gang's own CCTV system, the seizure of 40kg of cocaine and 250kg of bulking agents, and the arrest of eight people.

Adds details about the CCTV monitoring system, the 1kg-to-3kg mixing process, the release of two of eight arrested, the connection to the Kinahan cartel's freelance operators, the collapse of the Byrne group, and context about over €20 million in drugs seized in similar operations in the past 12 months.

Followup reporting that six of the eight arrested are still being questioned, two men have been released without charge, and additional items seized (hydraulic drugs press, drug mixing paraphernalia, mixing agent, money counter, communication devices). Includes quotes from Assistant Commissioner Justin Kelly describing the raid as a major disruption to the Kinahan group's distribution network and raising concern about nitrous oxide distribution.

Adds the Kinahan gang connection, the specific areas where vehicles were intercepted (Ballyfermot and Blanchardstown), the involvement of the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, the Garda Dog Unit and Divisional Drug Units in Ballyfermot and Sundrive Road, and a statement from Assistant Commissioner Justin Kelly.

Adds detail on the nature of the facility as a major distribution hub with a hydraulic cocaine press, the intelligence that it had been a KOCG front for at least six months, the belief that it served routes internationally and supplied other gangs, the current locations of Daniel Kinahan (Dubai) and Christy Kinahan Sr (Zimbabwe), the active $5 million reward, and a statement from Assistant Commissioner Justin Kelly.

Provides additional operational details: the two vehicles intercepted in Ballyfermot and Blanchardstown shortly after 11am, the units involved (Garda National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau, Special Crime Task Force, Garda Dog Unit, Divisional Drug Units in Ballyfermot and Sundrive Road), the items recovered (Hydraulic Drugs Press, mixing agent, paraphernalia, money counter, communications devices), and a statement from Assistant Commissioner Justin Kelly.

Adds that the factory was believed to be linked to the Kinahan crime network, that two vehicles were intercepted in Ballyfermot and Blanchardstown shortly after 11am, that a hydraulic drugs press, mixing agent, money counter and communications devices were also seized, and that the eight arrested (seven men and one woman, ages late 20s to early 50s) were detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996. Includes a statement from Assistant Commissioner Justin Kelly.

Adds the specific locations of vehicle stops (Ballyfermot and Blanchardstown), the time (shortly after 11am), the sex and age breakdown of those arrested (seven men and one woman, late 20s to early 50s), the full list of items seized (hydraulic drugs press, mixing agent, paraphernalia, money counter, communications devices), and a statement from Assistant Commissioner Justin Kelly.

The article confirms the headline details of the cocaine processing facility discovery and eight arrests but contains no additional substantive information beyond the title; the body consists of website template code.

Official Garda press release providing full operational details: the units involved (GNDOCB, Special Crime Task Force, Garda Dog Unit, Divisional Drug Units in Ballyfermot and Sundrive Road), the specific items seized (hydraulic drugs press, mixing agent, paraphernalia, money counter, communications devices), and the demographics of the eight arrested (7 men, 1 woman, ages late 20s to early 50s).

Four of the eight originally arrested have been charged and are due before the Criminal Courts of Justice on 16 February 2023; two more men have been released without charge with a file to be prepared for the DPP.