Cocaine-processing lab discovered in midlands after plywood smuggling operation
A drugs gang was importing plywood drenched in liquid cocaine from overseas and processing it in a midlands laboratory to extract the drug into blocks and bags of powder for sale. The plywood was ground into sawdust using workshop machinery before being treated and purified with a mix of chemicals, and tens of thousands of litres of chemicals were recovered from the facility. Gardaí discovered the operation in June 2026, and it is described as the first such sophisticated cocaine-processing facility found in the Republic. GNDOCB and Revenue investigations are ongoing, and no one has yet been charged over the operation.
- Reported6 Jul
- Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A drugs gang imported plywood drenched in liquid cocaine from overseas and processed it in a midlands lab to extract cocaine into blocks and bags of powder for sale.
- The plywood was ground into sawdust using workshop machinery before being chemically treated and purified to isolate the cocaine.
- Tens of thousands of litres of chemicals were recovered from the facility, and some machinery was mobile to allow easy relocation.
- Where
- The gang had a number of bases in the midlands, and the drenching of the plywood in cocaine was performed overseas.
- When
- The operation was discovered by gardaí in June 2026.
- Investigation
- GNDOCB and Revenue investigations are ongoing, and a large volume of evidence was uncovered including planks of plywood, equipment and chemicals.
- Charges
- No one has yet been charged over the operation of the facility.
- Other details
- It is the first time such a sophisticated cocaine-processing facility has been found in the Republic.
13 statements extracted from the articles
- whatAn Irish drugs gang was buying plywood drenched in liquid cocaine and importing it into Ireland to avoid detection. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe plywood was processed to extract cocaine and turn it into blocks and bags of powder-form drug for sale. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe plywood was ground into sawdust using workshop machinery before being treated and purified to extract and isolate the cocaine. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe processing work was undertaken in a lab using a mix of chemicals. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe processing laboratory was set up by the Irish gang. (irishtimes.com)
- whatSome of the machinery was mobile and the facility was set up to allow easy relocation. (irishtimes.com)
- whatTens of thousands of litres of chemicals were recovered from the facility. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe Irish gang had a number of bases in the midlands. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe drenching of the plywood in cocaine was performed overseas. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe operation was discovered by gardaí in June 2026. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA large volume of evidence was uncovered that captures the full process including planks of plywood, equipment and chemicals. (irishtimes.com)
- otherIt is the first time such a sophisticated cocaine-processing facility has been found in the Republic. (irishtimes.com)
- otherNobody has yet been charged over the operation of the facility. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 6 Jul2026Cocaine-drenched plywood smuggled into Ireland destined for midlands ‘processing lab’
Reports the discovery of a first-of-its-kind cocaine-processing facility in the midlands, where plywood drenched in liquid cocaine was ground into sawdust and chemically treated to extract the drug. No charges yet; GNDOCB and Revenue investigations ongoing.