Ireland Case No. 26626Possession of drugs (cocaine, heroin, amphetamine, diazepam) · Co. Clare · 27 May 2022
Man charged over €1.4m drug seizure in Clare and Limerick
On 27 May 2022, Gardaí stopped a vehicle on the Corbally Road in County Clare and found approximately €10,000 worth of suspected cocaine, arresting three men aged in their 20s and 40s at the scene. Follow-up searches in Limerick that evening seized approximately €406,000 of cocaine, €140,000 of heroin, €45,000 of amphetamine, €42,852 of diazepam tablets and a large sum of cash, and a man in his 50s and a woman in her 30s were arrested. A further search on 28 May recovered cocaine with an estimated street value of €779,450. A man in his 40s was charged and appeared before a special sitting of Limerick District Court on 28 May, a man in his 50s is due before the court on Monday, and the woman was released without charge.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrested27 May
6 reports - Charged28 May
4 reports - In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Five people (four men and one woman) were arrested during a search operation in counties Clare and Limerick.
- Approximately €10,000 worth of suspected cocaine was found in a vehicle stopped on the Corbally Road in County Clare.
- Follow-up searches in Limerick seized approximately €406,000 of cocaine, €140,000 of heroin, €45,000 of amphetamine, €42,852 of diazepam tablets and a large sum of cash.
- A follow-up search on 28 May 2022 seized cocaine with an estimated street value of €779,450.
- Where
- The vehicle was stopped on the Corbally Road (R463) at Westbury on the Clare/Limerick border, and follow-up searches were conducted in Limerick.
- When
- The vehicle was stopped at approximately 2.15pm on Friday 27 May 2022, with follow-up searches that evening and a further search on Saturday 28 May.
- Investigation
- The operation was conducted under Operation Coronation in conjunction with Operation Tara, targeting alleged organised drugs gangs in Limerick and Clare.
- Two of the three men from the vehicle were released pending files to the DPP, while a man in his 50s and a woman in her 30s were detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996.
- Charges
- A man in his 40s was charged in relation to the seizure.
- In court
- The man in his 40s appeared before a special sitting of Limerick District Court on 28 May 2022, and a man in his 50s is due before Limerick District Court on Monday at 10:30am.
- Other details
- The woman in her 30s was released without charge.
- Armed Gardaí from the Limerick Divisional Drugs Unit and the armed Regional Support Unit conducted the operation, with at least one man arrested at gunpoint.
109 statements extracted from the articles
- whatFive people were arrested during a search operation in counties Clare and Limerick (garda.ie)
- whatApproximately €10,000 worth of suspected cocaine was found in the vehicle (garda.ie, galwaydaily.com, limerickleader.ie)
- whatThree men aged in their 20s and 40s were arrested at the scene (garda.ie)
- whatApproximately €406,000 of cocaine was seized in the Limerick searches (garda.ie, galwaydaily.com)
- what€140,000 of heroin was seized (garda.ie)
- what€45,000 of amphetamine was seized (garda.ie, galwaydaily.com)
- what€42,852 of diazepam tablets were seized (garda.ie)
- whatA large sum of cash was seized (garda.ie, irishmirror.ie, limerickleader.ie, galwaydaily.com)
- whatA male in his 50s and a female in her 30s were arrested over the evening (garda.ie)
- whatGardaí recovered drugs in the operation (limerickpost.ie)
- whatAt least one man was arrested at gunpoint (limerickpost.ie)
- whatCocaine worth an estimated €779,450 was seized during a search operation in counties Clare and Limerick. (rte.ie)
- whatDrugs worth an estimated €643,000 were discovered during searches on Friday 27 May 2022. (rte.ie)
- whatFive people were arrested as a result of a massive series of drugs seizures in the west of Ireland (galwaydaily.com)
- whatThe vehicle occupants were three men aged in their 20s and 40s (galwaydaily.com)
- what€140,000 worth of heroin was seized in the Limerick searches (galwaydaily.com)
- what€45,000 of amphetamine was seized in the Limerick searches (galwaydaily.com)
- what€42,852 of diazepam tablets was seized in the Limerick searches (galwaydaily.com)
- whatA large sum of cash was seized in the Limerick searches (galwaydaily.com)
- whatA man in his 50s and a woman in her 30s were arrested in Limerick (galwaydaily.com)
- whatFive people were arrested in the operation (irishmirror.ie, limerickpost.ie)
- whatDrugs and cash worth approximately €643,000 were seized (irishmirror.ie)
- what€10,000 worth of suspected cocaine was found in the vehicle (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThree men aged in their 20s and 40s were occupants of the vehicle (irishmirror.ie)
- what€406,000 worth of cocaine was seized in the Limerick searches (irishmirror.ie)
- what€140,000 worth of heroin was seized (irishmirror.ie, limerickleader.ie, galwaydaily.com)
- what€45,000 worth of amphetamine was seized (irishmirror.ie, limerickleader.ie)
- what€42,852 worth of diazepam tablets was seized (irishmirror.ie, limerickleader.ie)
- whatA man in his 50s was arrested during the evening searches (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA woman in her 30s was arrested during the evening searches (irishmirror.ie)
- whatCocaine with an estimated street value of €779,450 was seized in a follow-up search on 28 May 2022. (garda.ie)
- whatApproximately €406,000 worth of cocaine was seized during the Limerick searches. (limerickleader.ie)
- whatApproximately €10,000 worth of suspected cocaine was found during the vehicle search (galwaydaily.com)
- whatApproximately €406,000 of cocaine was seized (galwaydaily.com)
- what€42,852 of diazepam tablets was seized (galwaydaily.com)
- whatDrugs worth €1.4m were seized in a major raid over the weekend. (clareecho.ie)
- what€643,000 of drugs owned by gangs in Limerick and Clare were recovered on Friday. (clareecho.ie)
- whatA large sum of cash was recovered in the raid. (clareecho.ie)
- whatFive people were arrested as a result of the raid. (clareecho.ie)
- whatCocaine with an estimated street value of €779,450 was seized in a follow-up search on Saturday. (clareecho.ie)
- whatGardaí discovered €10,000 worth of suspected cocaine in the car. (clareecho.ie)
- whatThree males were arrested in the vehicle. (clareecho.ie)
- whatMore than €406,000 of suspected cocaine was seized in follow-up searches that evening. (clareecho.ie)
- what€140,000 of suspected heroin was seized in follow-up searches. (clareecho.ie)
- what€45,000 of suspected amphetamine was seized in follow-up searches. (clareecho.ie)
- what€42,852 of suspected diazepam tablets was seized in follow-up searches. (clareecho.ie)
- whatA man and a woman were also arrested in the follow-up searches. (clareecho.ie)
- whereThe vehicle was stopped on Corbally Road in County Clare (garda.ie, limerickleader.ie)
- whereThe arrested men were taken to Henry Street Garda Station (garda.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- whereFollow-up searches were conducted in Limerick in the evening (garda.ie)
- whereA car was intercepted on the R463 at Westbury on the Clare side of the border shortly after 2pm (limerickpost.ie)
- whereThe vehicle was stopped on the Corbally Road in County Clare (galwaydaily.com)
- whereFollow-up drugs searches were conducted in Limerick the evening of 27 May (galwaydaily.com)
- whereA car was stopped on the Corbally Road in County Clare (irishmirror.ie)
- whereFollow-up searches were conducted in Limerick on Friday evening (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe three men were taken to Henry Street garda station. (limerickleader.ie, limerickpost.ie)
- whereFollow-up searches were conducted in Limerick on the evening of 27 May 2022. (limerickleader.ie)
- whereThe man in his 50s and the woman in her 30s were detained in Henry Street garda station. (limerickleader.ie)
- whereA vehicle was stopped on Corbally Road in County Clare (galwaydaily.com)
- whereFollow-up drugs searches were conducted in Limerick on Friday evening (galwaydaily.com)
- whereA car was searched near Westbury on the Clare/Limerick border (limerickpost.ie)
- whereFollow-up searches were conducted in Limerick (limerickpost.ie)
- whereA car was intercepted on the R463 at Westbury, between Corbally and Ardnacrusha, shortly after 2pm on Friday. (clareecho.ie)
- whenThe vehicle was stopped at approximately 2.15pm (garda.ie)
- whenThe drugs were found on 28 May 2022. (rte.ie)
- whenGardaí stopped a vehicle shortly after 2pm on Friday (galwaydaily.com)
- whenThe vehicle stop occurred at approximately 2.15pm on Friday 27 May 2022 (irishmirror.ie)
- whenGardaí stopped a vehicle at approximately 2.15pm on Friday 27 May 2022. (limerickleader.ie)
- whenThe vehicle was stopped shortly after 2pm on Friday (galwaydaily.com)
- investigationTwo of the men were released from custody pending files to the DPP (garda.ie)
- investigationThe exact values of seized items are to be confirmed pending examination (garda.ie)
- investigationInvestigations are ongoing (garda.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe operation involved armed members of the Limerick Divisional Drugs Unit and the armed Regional Support Unit based in Limerick City (limerickpost.ie)
- investigationThe operation specifically targeted the alleged activities of organised drugs gangs in Limerick and Clare (limerickpost.ie)
- investigationFive people were arrested during the operation. (rte.ie)
- investigationTwo of those arrested remain in custody at Henry Street Garda Station in Limerick. (rte.ie)
- investigationTwo others have been released with files to be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions. (rte.ie)
- investigationTwo of the three men from the vehicle stop were released pending files to the DPP (galwaydaily.com)
- investigationThe man in his 50s and woman in her 30s are detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996, in Henry Street Garda Station (galwaydaily.com)
- investigationThe men were detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996 (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationTwo of the three men were released pending files to the DPP (irishmirror.ie, limerickpost.ie)
- investigationGardaí conducted searches under Operation Coronation in conjunction with Operation Tara in Co. Clare and Limerick on 27 May 2022. (garda.ie)
- investigationTwo persons continue to be detained in Garda custody under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996, at Henry Street Garda Station. (garda.ie)
- investigationThe searches were conducted under Operation Coronation in conjunction with Operation Tara. (clareecho.ie)
- chargeOne man aged in his 40s has been charged and is due before Limerick District Court. (rte.ie)
- chargeA man in his 40s was charged in relation to the seizure. (garda.ie)
- chargeThe three men were detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996. (limerickleader.ie)
- chargeThe man in his 40s was to be charged in relation to the seizures (galwaydaily.com)
- chargeA man in his fifties was detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996, at Henry Street Garda Station. (clareecho.ie)
- courtThe man is due to appear before a special sitting of Limerick District Court on 28 May 2022 at 7pm. (garda.ie)
- courtA man in his 40s appeared before a special sitting of Limerick District Court on Saturday evening (galwaydaily.com)
- courtThe man in his fifties is due to appear before Limerick District Court on Monday at 10:30am. (clareecho.ie)
- courtA man in his forties appeared before a special sitting of Limerick District Court on Saturday evening. (clareecho.ie)
- otherArmed Gardaí carrying sub machine guns maintained a presence at the scene (limerickpost.ie)
- otherMajor traffic tailbacks were reported in the area due to the Garda operation (limerickpost.ie)
- otherThree men aged in their 20s and 40s were the occupants of the vehicle. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherTwo of the three men were released from custody pending files to the DPP. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherA male aged in his 50s was arrested during the evening searches. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherA female aged in her 30s was arrested during the evening searches. (limerickleader.ie)
- otherFive people (four men and one woman) were arrested as a result of the Friday searches (galwaydaily.com)
- otherDrugs with an estimated street value of more than €600,000 were recovered (limerickpost.ie)
- otherSuspected cocaine worth €10,000 was discovered in the vehicle (limerickpost.ie)
- otherThree men travelling in the vehicle were arrested at the scene (limerickpost.ie)
- otherThe three men were aged in their 20s and 40s (limerickpost.ie)
- otherMore than €600,000-worth of suspected cocaine, heroin, amphetamine, and diazepam tablets were seized in follow-up searches (limerickpost.ie)
- otherA man and a woman were arrested in the follow-up searches (limerickpost.ie)
- otherA woman in her thirties detained at Henry Street Garda Station was released without charge. (clareecho.ie)
- otherThe men were intercepted by armed Gardaí in a dramatic swoop. (clareecho.ie)
- otherTwo of the men were released from custody with files to be prepared for the DPP. (clareecho.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 29 May2022Investigations ongoing into €1.4m drugs raid as Gardaí hone in on Limerick & Clare gangs - Clare Echo
Reports the initial raid, the five arrests, the drugs and cash seized, and the charging of a man in his fifties; identifies the operation as conducted under Operation Coronation and Operation Tara and links the drugs to gangs in Limerick City and Ennis.
suspect, fifties, malesuspect, forties, malesuspect, thirties, femalesuspect, malesuspect, male - 29 May2022Five arrested in €600,000 drug bust on Clare Limerick border
Initial report of the drug bust; three men arrested at scene near Westbury, two later released pending DPP files; follow-up searches in Limerick led to two further arrests.
suspect, 20s, malesuspect, 40s, malesuspect, malesuspect, malesuspect, female - 29 May2022Gardaí seize €779,450 of cocaine in raid - Galway Daily
Provides specific drug values from the Friday and Saturday seizures, details the Corbally Road vehicle stop in Clare, and reports a man in his 40s being charged at a special sitting of Limerick District Court on Saturday evening.
accused, 40s, male - 28 May2022BREAKING: Five arrested in Limerick and Clare after €643,000 drug seizure
Initial report of the operation with specific drug valuations (€643,000 total) and arrest details; two of the three men arrested at the vehicle stop were released pending DPP files.
suspect, 20s-40s, malesuspect, 20s-40s, malesuspect, 20s-40s, malesuspect, 50s, malesuspect, 30s, female - 28 May2022Court Appearance & Drug Seizure Clare/Limerick, 28th May, 2022.
Reports that a man in his 40s (one of the five arrested) has been charged and is due to appear at Limerick District Court on 28 May; a follow-up search on 28 May seized cocaine worth €779,450; two persons remain detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996, at Henry Street Garda Station.
suspect, 40s, malesuspectsuspect - 28 May2022Gardai arrest five people after cash and drugs worth almost €650,000 seized
Reports the initial arrests and full seizure details from the operation, including the breakdown of drugs by type and value, and notes that two of the three men from the vehicle were released pending files to the DPP.
suspect, 20s, malesuspect, 40s, malesuspect, 20s or 40s, malesuspect, 50s, malesuspect, 30s, female - 28 May2022Five arrested in massive drugs seizure in the west - Galway Daily
Provides a detailed breakdown of the drugs seized at each location (Corbally Road, Clare, and Limerick) and the current status of all five arrested individuals, including that two of the three men from the initial vehicle stop have been released pending files to the DPP.
suspect, 20s, malesuspect, 40s, malesuspect, 20s or 40s, malesuspect, 50s, malesuspect, 30s, female - 28 May2022Drugs worth over €1.4m seized in Clare and Limerick
Provides updated status on the five arrests from the operation: two remain in custody at Henry Street Garda Station, two released with files to the DPP, and one man in his 40s charged and due before Limerick District Court.
accused, 40s, male - 27 May2022#BREAKING - Man detained by armed Gardaí on Clare Limerick border
Breaking news report from the scene confirming armed Gardaí involvement, the use of sub machine guns, and the arrest at gunpoint, published before full details of the drug seizure were known.
suspect, male - 27 May2022€643,000 Drug Seizure and Arrests in Clare / Limerick, 27th May 2022
Official garda.ie press release providing details of the vehicle stop on Corbally Road, the specific drug values seized (€10,000 cocaine in vehicle; €406,000 cocaine, €140,000 heroin, €45,000 amphetamine, €42,852 diazepam and cash in Limerick searches), and confirming two of the three men from the vehicle were released pending DPP files.
suspect, 20s, malesuspect, 40s, malesuspect, 20s or 40s, malesuspect, 50s, malesuspect, 30s, female