Wednesday 28 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. 3645Possession of controlled drugs, money laundering (organised crime) · Co. Dublin · 3 Mar 2026

Gardaí seize €1.6m in drugs and cash in two-day operation across Dublin, Wicklow and Meath

A two-day Garda operation targeting organised crime gangs on 3–4 March 2026 resulted in 27 searches across Blessington, Tallaght and Ashbourne, seizing cocaine, heroin, cannabis, cash, vehicles and sophisticated drug-concealment equipment worth over €1.6 million. No arrests have been made and investigations are ongoing.

  1. Reported6 Mar
    2 reports
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
29 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatMore than €1.6 million in drugs was seized during the operation (irishtimes.com)
  • whatCocaine valued at €1.33 million was uncovered (irishtimes.com)
  • whatCannabis worth an estimated €288,000 was seized (irishtimes.com)
  • what€63,000 worth of heroin was seized (irishtimes.com)
  • what€89,500 of cash in multiple currencies was seized (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThree vehicles, jewellery and designer clothing were seized (irishtimes.com)
  • whatA van containing two wheel balancing devices was seized and the equipment had been adapted as a concealment device (irishtimes.com)
  • whatTwo vans with concealed hides were seized (irishtimes.com)
  • whatA house in Ashbourne contained the majority of the drugs including €1.2 million of cocaine (irishtimes.com)
  • whatA further €56,700 worth of cocaine and €50,000 in vacuum packed cash were found at a house in Tallaght (irishtimes.com)
  • whatA cocaine press with remote-control electronic devices and linear actuators was found at a property in Blessington, Co Wicklow. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatTwo vans fitted with concealed compartments were seized at the Blessington location. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatA van containing wheel balancing machines fitted with remote-operated hydraulic covers was found at a property in Tallaght, south Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatCocaine valued at €1.19 million, cannabis herb worth €280,000 and €12,000 in cash were seized at a residential property in Ashbourne, Co Meath. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatCocaine worth €56,700 and €50,000 in vacuum-packed cash were seized at a linked property in Tallaght. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatAcross the operation, cocaine valued at €1,330,000, heroin valued at €63,000, cannabis valued at €288,500, cash totalling €89,500, jewellery and three vehicles were seized. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe operation targeted an organised crime group in south Dublin (irishtimes.com)
  • whereResidential properties in Tallaght, Dublin and Ashbourne, Co Meath were searched (irishtimes.com)
  • whereLands and buildings in Blessington, Co Wicklow were searched (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe operation took place on Tuesday and Wednesday (3–4 March 2026) (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe operation was carried out on Tuesday 3 March and Wednesday 4 March 2026. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationNo arrests were made as part of the operation (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe operation was co-ordinated by the Dublin Metropolitan Region South crime unit and led by the Terenure drugs unit (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationA total of 27 properties were searched (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe searches were part of an investigation into crime groups involved in drug trafficking and money laundering (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe investigation is ongoing (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe operation was led by An Garda Síochána and coordinated by DMR South Crime. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationSpecialist units led by the Terenure Drugs Unit carried out 27 searches at properties and lands in Blessington, Tallaght and Ashbourne. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationNo arrests have been made and investigations are continuing. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 6 Mar2026
    Reportedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Gardai deal blow to crime gang with €1.6m drugs seizure

    First report of the two-day DMR South Crime operation; details the locations searched, the concealment equipment found, and the total value of drugs and cash seized.

  2. 6 Mar2026
    Reportedirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Gardaí seize €1.6m of drugs and vehicles with ‘sophisticated’ hidden compartments

    First report of the two-day operation; no arrests made, investigation ongoing