Saturday 31 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. 20076Drugs offence (suspected sale or supply of cocaine) · Co. Laois

Cocaine seized in Portlaoise during rail network patrol

Gardaí seized cocaine while patrolling the rail network in Portlaoise, Co Laois, as part of Operation Scathlán. The gardaí statement was made on a Wednesday, and the report was published on 10 August 2023. Two people were arrested during the operation, and one was detained under Section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act on suspicion of sale and supply of cocaine. The articles report no court appearance or sentence, so the detention is the latest development.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrested10 Aug
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Gardaí seized cocaine during a patrol.
Where
The seizure took place while gardaí were patrolling the rail network in Portlaoise, Co Laois.
When
Gardaí made their statement on a Wednesday, and the report was published on 10 August 2023.
Investigation
  • The patrols were part of Operation Scathlán, which targets anti-social and illegal behaviour on the rail network.
  • The patrols were carried out with Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail.
  • Gardaí said detections under the Misuse of Drugs Act were made during the patrols.
  • Two people were arrested during the operation.
Charges
One person was detained under Section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act on suspicion of sale and supply of cocaine.
In court
The articles report no court appearance for either person.
6 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatGardaí seized cocaine. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe seizure happened while gardaí were patrolling the rail network in Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenGardaí made the statement on a Wednesday. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationThe patrols are part of Operation Scathlán, which targets anti-social and illegal behaviour on the rail network. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationA second person was also arrested during the operation. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeOne person was detained under Section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act for the sale and supply of suspected cocaine. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 10 Aug2023
    Arrestedleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Cocaine seized in Portlaoise by gardai patrolling the rail network

    Reports a patrol under Operation Scathlán on the rail network in Portlaoise, with cocaine seized and two people arrested, one detained under Section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act for suspected sale and supply.

    suspectsuspect