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. 4198Possession of controlled drugs (cannabis) · Co. Westmeath · 31 Dec 2025

Gardaí seize €2.25 million in cannabis from growhouse operations in Ballinagore, Co. Westmeath

Gardaí seized cannabis plants and herb worth a combined €2.25 million during searches of two residential properties in Ballinagore, Co. Westmeath, on 31 December 2025, as part of an investigation targeting a gang involved in drugs supply in the area. No arrests were made and the seized drugs were to be sent to Forensic Science Ireland for further analysis.

  1. Reported2 Jan
    2 reports
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
22 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatSophisticated growhouse operations were found inside the properties. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatCannabis plants with an estimated street value of €500,000 were discovered. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatCannabis herb worth an estimated €1.75 million was seized. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatDrugs worth more than €2.2 million were seized in raids on two properties in rural Co. Westmeath. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatSophisticated cannabis growhouse operations were discovered within the properties. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatCannabis plants with an estimated value of €500,000 were seized. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatCannabis herb with a total estimated value of €1.75 million was seized in both properties. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe total haul of cannabis plants and herb came in at around €2.25 million. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereGardaí searched two residences in Ballynagore, Co. Westmeath. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe raids took place on Wednesday, 31 December 2025. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe search was carried out on Wednesday, 31 December 2025. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe scenes were preserved for technical examinations, which have been completed. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe drugs will be further analysed by Forensic Science Ireland. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe searches were carried out under Operation Tara, the national anti-drugs strategy. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí from the Westmeath community engagement area, divisional drugs unit, Mullingar crime unit and regional support unit were involved. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe investigation was targeting a gang involved in the drugs supply in Co. Westmeath. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe operation involved Gardaí from the Westmeath Community Engagement Area, Divisional Drugs Unit, Mullingar Crime Unit and the Regional Support Unit. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationNo arrests were made. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationBoth scenes were preserved for technical examination, which has been completed. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe seized drugs were to be sent to Forensic Science Ireland for further analysis. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherIt was the last large-scale seizure of 2025. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherGardaí and Revenue Customs impounded drugs worth some €202 million in 2025. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 2 Jan2026
    Reportedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Gardai seize drugs worth more than €2.2 million in major crackdown op

    First report of the seizure; no arrests made; technical examination completed; drugs to be sent to Forensic Science Ireland.

  2. 2 Jan2026
    Reportedirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Drugs worth over €2m found in Co Westmeath growhouse raids

    Initial report of the New Year's Eve raids at two Ballynagore properties; no arrests or charges at this stage.