Ireland Man arrested after air rifle and cocaine seized in Donegal search
On Friday 21 August 2026, gardaí searched several residential properties in the Inishowen area of Co Donegal as part of Operation Tara, which targets the sale and supply of drugs. They seized cocaine with an estimated street value of €25,000, other controlled drugs and an air rifle, and arrested a man in his 40s for possession of suspected cocaine. He was detained at a garda station in the North Western Region under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking Act) 1996, then released without charge, and a file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions. Investigations into the illegal sale and supply of drugs are ongoing.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrested21 Aug
2 reports - Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Gardaí arrested a man in Inishowen for possession of suspected cocaine with an estimated street value of €25,000.
- Other quantities of controlled drugs were also seized.
- Weapon
- An air rifle was seized during the operation.
- Where
- Gardaí searched a number of residential properties in the Inishowen area of Co Donegal.
- When
- The searches took place on Friday, 21 August 2026.
- DonegalLive published its report on 21 August 2026 and RTÉ published its report on 22 August 2026.
- Investigation
- The operation was Operation Tara, targeting the sale and supply of drugs in the area, and was supported by the Armed Support Unit and Dog Unit.
- Investigations into the illegal sale and supply of drugs are ongoing.
- Other details
- The man, aged in his 40s, was detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking Act) 1996 at a garda station in the North Western Region.
- The man was released without charge.
- In court
- A file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
16 statements extracted from the articles
- whatGardaí arrested a man in Inishowen for possession of suspected cocaine worth an estimated €25,000. (donegallive.ie)
- whatOther quantities of controlled drugs and an air rifle were also seized. (donegallive.ie)
- whatCocaine with an estimated street value of €25,000, along with other controlled drugs and the air rifle, were seized. (rte.ie)
- whereThe arrest took place in Inishowen, Co Donegal. (donegallive.ie)
- whereGardaí searched a number of residential properties in the Inishowen area. (rte.ie)
- whenGardaí searched a number of residential properties on Friday, August 21. (donegallive.ie)
- whenThe operation took place in Co Donegal on the day before the article was published. (rte.ie)
- weaponAn air rifle was seized during the operation. (rte.ie)
- investigationThe arrest was part of Operation Tara, which targeted the sale and supply of drugs in the area. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationThe operation was supported by the Armed Support Unit and Dog Unit. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationA man in his 40s was arrested and held at a garda station in the north west. (rte.ie)
- investigationInvestigations are ongoing into the illegal sale and supply of drugs. (rte.ie)
- courtA file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions. (rte.ie)
- otherThe man was arrested and detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking Act) 1996 at a Garda station in the North Western Region. (donegallive.ie)
- otherThe man has since been released without charge. (donegallive.ie, rte.ie)
- otherA file will be prepared for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. (donegallive.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 22 Aug2026Arrest after air rifle, cocaine seized in Donegal search
Reports the seizure of an air rifle and drugs in a search of several Inishowen properties, the arrest of a man in his 40s, his release without charge, and that a file will go to the DPP. Gives the estimated street value of the cocaine as €25,000.
suspect, 40s, male - 21 Aug2026Cocaine valued at €25,000 and air rifle seized after Donegal raid
Reports an Inishowen arrest during Operation Tara on 21 August 2026, with the cocaine value, air rifle seizure, Section 2 detention, release without charge and DPP file. No matching case in the list.
suspect, 40s, male