Ireland Man charged after €285,000 drugs and sawn-off shotgun seized in Portlaoise, Laois
On Sunday 16 June 2024, gardaí from the Laois Drugs Unit searched a property in Portlaoise, Co Laois, as part of Operation Tara and seized drugs worth €285,000, along with a sawn-off shotgun and ammunition. A man in his 40s was arrested at the scene and detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996. The drugs are being analysed by Forensic Science Ireland and the shotgun and ammunition by the Garda Ballistics Unit, and investigations are ongoing. Gardaí have charged the man, who was due before Portlaoise District Court at 2pm on Tuesday 18 June 2024, and one source says he appeared at that hearing.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrested16 Jun
- Charged16 Jun
- In court18 Jun
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Gardaí seized drugs worth €285,000, including suspected cannabis herb, cocaine and MDMA, and a small quantity of cannabis resin.
- Where
- The search took place at a property in Portlaoise, Co Laois.
- When
- The search took place on Sunday 16 June 2024, shortly before 3pm, although one report says Sunday night.
- Cause
- Gardaí from the Laois Drugs Unit searched the property as part of Operation Tara.
- Weapon
- A sawn-off shotgun and ammunition were seized during the search, though the Garda release describes the item only as a firearm.
- Other details
- One man in his 40s was arrested at the scene and detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996.
- Investigation
- The seized drugs are being analysed by Forensic Science Ireland, and the shotgun and ammunition are undergoing forensic examination by the Garda Ballistics Unit.
- Gardaí said investigations are ongoing.
- Charges
- Gardaí have charged the man who was arrested during the search.
- In court
- The man was due before Portlaoise District Court at 2pm on Tuesday 18 June 2024, and one source says he appeared at that hearing.
25 statements extracted from the articles
- whatDrugs worth €285,000 and a firearm were seized. (garda.ie)
- whatGardaí seized suspected cannabis herb, cocaine and MDMA, plus a small quantity of cannabis resin. (garda.ie)
- whatThe total value of the drugs seized is €285,000. (garda.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- whatLarge quantities of suspected cannabis herb, cocaine and MDMA were seized. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA small quantity of suspected cannabis resin was also seized. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe man was arrested during a search operation in Portlaoise, Co. Laois. (garda.ie)
- whereThe search took place at a property in Portlaoise, Co Laois. (garda.ie)
- whereGardaí seized drugs and a firearm during a search operation in Portlaoise. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe arrest and seizure took place on Sunday 16 June 2024. (garda.ie)
- whenThe search took place on Sunday 16 June 2024, shortly before 3pm. (garda.ie)
- whenThe search took place shortly before 3pm on the Sunday afternoon. (irishmirror.ie)
- weaponA sawn-off shotgun and ammunition were seized during the search. (garda.ie)
- weaponA sawn-off shotgun and ammunition were seized during the search of the residence. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationInvestigations are ongoing. (garda.ie)
- investigationGardaí from the Laois Drugs Unit searched the property as part of Operation Tara. (garda.ie)
- investigationThe drugs are being analysed by Forensic Science Ireland. (garda.ie)
- investigationThe shotgun and ammunition are undergoing forensic examination by the Garda Ballistics Unit. (garda.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí from the Laois Drugs Unit searched a property in Portlaoise as part of Operation Tara. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe seized drugs are being analysed by Forensic Science Ireland. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí said investigations into the arrest are ongoing. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeGardaí have charged the man. (garda.ie)
- chargeGardaí charged a man who was arrested during the search in Portlaoise on Sunday. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe man is due before Portlaoise District Court at 2pm on Tuesday 18 June 2024. (garda.ie)
- courtThe man appeared before Portlaoise District Court on Tuesday 18 June at 2pm. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherOne man in his 40s was arrested at the scene and detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996. (garda.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 18 Jun2024Man due in court after shotgun and nearly €300k worth of drugs seized in raid
First report of this case. It adds the drugs and sawn-off shotgun seized, the charge and the court appearance on 18 June, and says the forensic examinations are ongoing.
accused, male - 16 Jun2024€285,000 Drugs and Firearm Seized, Portlaoise, Co. Laois, 16th June 2024
Garda press release on the same search. It adds the search was carried out by the Laois Drugs Unit under Operation Tara, the man was arrested at the scene and detained under Section 2 of the Drug Trafficking Act, and the drugs and shotgun are being analysed. It does not mention a charge or court appearance.
suspect, 40s, male - 16 Jun2024Court Appearance re €285,000 Drugs and Firearm Seized, Portlaoise, Co. Laois. 16th June, 2024.
Official garda.ie release confirming the man has been charged and is due before Portlaoise District Court at 2pm on 18 June 2024. It describes the seizure as a firearm without specifying a sawn-off shotgun, and it names no one.
accused, male