Friday 30 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. 17352Possession of cocaine for sale or supply · Co. Kildare · 2 May 2024

Man charged over €186,000 cocaine find in west Kildare

On 2 May 2024, gardaí searched a residential property in Carbury, County Kildare, under warrant as part of Operation Tara and recovered 2.3 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated street value of €186,600. Keith Russell, 39, was arrested at the scene. On 4 May 2024 he appeared at a special sitting of Naas District Court, where he was charged with possession of cocaine for sale or supply and made no reply; gardaí objected to bail, but the judge granted bail on a €1,500 bond. The matter has been adjourned to 3 October.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrested3 May
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court4 May
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Gardaí recovered 2.3 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated street value of €186,600.
  • Keith Russell, 39, was arrested at the scene.
Where
The search was of a residential property in Carbury, County Kildare, while the 4 May report gives the address as 6 Grattan Park, Derrinturn, and the charge refers to Grattan Park, Dreenane, Derrinturn.
When
The search took place on Thursday, 2 May 2024.
Investigation
  • The search was carried out under warrant as part of Operation Tara and linked to ongoing investigations into cocaine distribution in north Kildare and the mid/west.
  • The search was carried out by the Kildare North Drugs Unit with assistance from the Leixlip Detective Unit and the Garda Dog Unit.
  • The cocaine was found near a back garden wall, and a cocaine press with white residue was found in a shed.
  • A press machine for preparing cocaine was seized, and the items seized are undergoing analysis at Forensic Science Ireland.
Other details
He was detained and questioned at a garda station in north Kildare under Section 2 of the Drug Trafficking Act, 1996, which allows detention for up to seven days without charge, subject to court orders.
Charges
He is charged with having cocaine for sale or supply and made no reply when charged.
In court
  • He appeared before a special sitting of Naas District Court on 4 May 2024.
  • Gardaí objected to bail, but the judge granted bail on a €1,500 bond with conditions including that he reside at his address.
  • The matter was adjourned to 3 October.
20 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatGardaí recovered 2.3 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated street value of €186,600. (kildarenow.com)
  • whatA man in his late 30s was arrested at the scene. (kildarenow.com)
  • whatCocaine worth €186,000 was found. (kildarenow.com)
  • whereGardaí conducted a planned search of a residential property in Carbury, County Kildare. (kildarenow.com)
  • whereThe defendant's address was given as 6 Grattan Park, Derrinturn. (kildarenow.com)
  • whenThe search took place on Thursday. (kildarenow.com)
  • investigationThe search was part of Operation Tara and linked to ongoing investigations into cocaine distribution in north Kildare and the mid/west. (kildarenow.com)
  • investigationItems seized at the property are undergoing analysis at Forensic Science Ireland. (kildarenow.com)
  • investigationThe address was searched under warrant and the drug was found near a back garden wall. (kildarenow.com)
  • investigationA cocaine press was found in a shed and it had white residue. (kildarenow.com)
  • chargeThe defendant is being prosecuted for having cocaine for sale or supply at Grattan Park, Dreenane, Derrinturn. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtThe defendant made no reply when charged. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtHe appeared before a special sitting of Naas District Court on 4 May. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtGardaí objected to bail. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtThe judge granted bail on a bond of €1,500. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtThe judge imposed conditions including that the defendant reside at his address. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtThe matter was adjourned to 3 October. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherA press machine for the preparation of cocaine was also seized. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherThe man was being detained and questioned at a garda station in north Kildare under Section 2 of the Drug Trafficking Act, 1996. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherThe suspect can be detained for up to seven days without charge, subject to court orders. (kildarenow.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 4 May2024
    In courtkildarenow.com, first report
    BREAKING: Man makes court appearance over €186,000 cocaine find in west Kildare

    Reports a different incident from existing case 14080, which concerns a 18 December 2023 search at 6 Grattan Park with cocaine valued at €1,055. This article describes a 2 May search with cocaine valued at €186,000, a cocaine press found in a shed, and a bail hearing.

    accused, Keith Russell, 39, male, named, irish (judged from name)Keith Russell
  2. 3 May2024
    Arrestedkildarenow.com, follow-up
    Man arrested following seizure of cocaine and 'press machine' during Kildare search

    Adds the arrest of a man in his late 30s at the scene, the seizure of a press machine for preparing cocaine, the link to Operation Tara, and his detention under Section 2 of the Drug Trafficking Act, 1996. Does not name the man.

    suspect, late 30s, male