Lithuanian organised crime group targeted in Cork heroin operation; two men denied bail
A Garda operation targeting the sale and supply of heroin by a Lithuanian organised crime group based in Cork City Centre was launched on 25 March 2025, resulting in the arrest of seven people, later reported as eight, and the search of seven premises. Aleksandras Kuznecovas, 38, a Lithuanian man of no fixed abode, is alleged to have sold €25 worth of diamorphine to undercover gardai on three occasions in January 2025, while Jonas Pavilionis, 46, a Lithuanian man of no fixed abode, was observed placing a bag with two bill-hooks at Audley Place on 23 March and had suspected heroin with a street value of €3,920 recovered from his car. Both men appeared before Cork District Court on 27 March, where Judge Mary Dorgan denied them bail and remanded them in custody to 3 April. A man in his 30s was due to appear before the court on 31 March, and investigations remain ongoing.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrested27 Mar
2 reports - Chargednot reported
- In court30 Mar
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A Garda operation targeted the sale and supply of drugs by a Lithuanian organised crime group based in Cork City Centre.
- Seven premises were searched and items of significant evidential value were seized.
- Kuznecovas is alleged to have sold €25 worth of diamorphine to undercover gardai on three separate occasions in January 2025.
- Pavilionis was observed placing a bag with two bill-hooks behind an electrical box at Audley Place on 23 March 2025, and suspected heroin with a street value of €3,920 was recovered from his car.
- Where
- The alleged drug sales took place at Western Road, the banks of the Lee Walkway, and on Mardyke Bridge.
- When
- The operation was launched on 25 March 2025.
- Investigation
- Seven people were initially arrested, later reported as eight including a woman in her 40s; six were detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007 and one under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996.
- Charges
- Pavilionis was charged with having heroin for sale and supply, having a machete, and having two bill-hooks.
- In court
- Kuznecovas and Pavilionis appeared before Cork District Court on 27 March 2025, where Judge Mary Dorgan denied them bail and remanded them in custody to 3 April.
- A man in his 30s was due to appear before Cork District Court on 31 March 2025.
- Other details
- The bags recovered from Pavilionis were sent to Forensic Science Ireland and identified as heroin.
- The operation was supported by multiple Garda units including Serious Crime Units, National and Regional Surveillance Units, Regional Armed Support Unit, Regional Dog Unit, Operation Tara and Cork City Centre Policing.
31 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe operation targets the sale and supply of drugs by an organised crime group based in Cork City Centre. (garda.ie)
- whatSeven persons were arrested as a result of the operation. (garda.ie)
- whatSeven premises were searched. (garda.ie)
- whatA number of items were seized. (garda.ie)
- whatThe men arrested range in age from their 20s to 40s. (garda.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- whatSeven people were arrested in the operation (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe operation targeted the sale and supply of drugs by an organised crime group based in Cork city centre (irishmirror.ie)
- whatSeven premises were searched during the operation (irishmirror.ie)
- whatItems of significant evidential value were seized (irishmirror.ie)
- whatAleksandras Kuznecovas, 38, is a Lithuanian national of no fixed abode. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatKuznecovas sold €25 worth of diamorphine to undercover gardai on three separate occasions in January 2025. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatPavilionis was observed placing a bag with two bill-hooks behind an electrical box at Audley Place on 23 March 2025. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatSuspected heroin with a street value of €3,920 was recovered from Pavilionis's car. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe arrested men were conveyed to Garda Stations in Cork City. (garda.ie)
- whereThe alleged drug sales occurred at Western Road, the banks of the Lee Walkway, and on Mardyke Bridge. (irishmirror.ie)
- wherePavilionis was arrested in the car park of Douglas Village Shopping Centre on the southside of Cork City two days later. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe operation began on Tuesday 25 March 2025. (garda.ie)
- whenThe operation was launched on Tuesday, 25 March 2025 (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationSix of the arrested men are detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007. (garda.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- investigationOne of the arrested men is detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996. (garda.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe operation is supported by multiple Garda units including Serious Crime Units, National and Regional Surveillance Units, Regional Armed Support Unit, Regional Dog Unit, Operation Tara and Cork City Centre Policing. (garda.ie)
- investigationInvestigations are ongoing. (garda.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe operation was supported by multiple Garda units including the Regional Armed Support Unit (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationEight people have been arrested in connection with the investigation. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA second man remains in Garda custody in connection with the probe. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe bags were sent to Forensic Science Ireland and identified as heroin. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargePavilionis was charged with having heroin for sale and supply. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargePavilionis was charged with having a machete. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargePavilionis was charged with having two bill-hooks on 23 March in Audley Place. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtA man in his 30s is due to appear before Cork District Court. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtJudge Mary Dorgan declined to grant bail and remanded both men in custody to appear on 3 April. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 30 Mar2025Man due in court as Cork gardaí target organised crime group from Lithuania
First report of the Cork City Divisional Drugs Unit operation targeting a Lithuanian organised crime group. Kuznecovas and Pavilionis denied bail and remanded to 3 April. A man in his 30s is due in court and a woman in her 40s is held under Section 50.
accused, Aleksandras Kuznecovas, 38, male, Lithuanian, named, non-irishAleksandras Kuznecovasaccused, Jonas Pavilionis, 46, male, Lithuanian, named, non-irishJonas Pavilionisaccused, 30s, maleaccused, maleaccused, 40s, female - 28 Mar2025Armed gardai involved in major op as multiple premises raided and seven arrested
Provides operational detail: seven premises searched, seven men arrested (aged 20s to 40s), six detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007 and one under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996, with support from multiple Garda units including the Regional Armed Support Unit.
suspect, malesuspect, malesuspect, malesuspect, malesuspect, malesuspect, malesuspect, male - 27 Mar2025Operation Targeting Organised Crime in Cork City, 7 Persons Arrested, Thursday 27th March 2025
Garda press release announcing the operation, arrests, searches and detentions.
suspect, malesuspect, malesuspect, malesuspect, malesuspect, malesuspect, malesuspect, male