Saturday 31 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. 18415Drug possession for sale or supply · Co. Wicklow · 1 Feb 2024

Man charged over €3m cocaine seizure in Aughrim

On 1 February 2024, gardaí searched 37 homes, businesses, cars and vans in Dublin and Wicklow. In Aughrim, Co Wicklow, a search of a van found 44kg of cocaine, reported as worth more than €3m, and Michael Clampett, a 52-year-old man with an address in Aughrim, was arrested. He was cautioned and charged at Crumlin Garda Station on 2 February with possession of drugs and possession for sale or supply, and on 3 February he was remanded in custody with consent to bail by a special sitting of Bray District Court. A second man in his 30s was released pending a file to the DPP, and Clampett is due to appear before Arklow District Court on 7 February.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrested2 Feb
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court3 Feb
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Cocaine estimated to be worth more than €3m, reported as €3.1 million, was seized in searches in Dublin and Wicklow.
  • Cash of €353,000 was seized in total, and a further €140,000 in cash was seized in later searches.
Where
  • In Aughrim, Co Wicklow, 44kg of cocaine was found during a search of a vehicle, described as a van in later reports.
  • Michael Clampett has an address in Aughrim, Co Wicklow.
When
Gardaí searched 37 homes, businesses, cars and vans on 1 February 2024.
Other details
  • Michael Clampett is a 52-year-old man.
  • A second man in his 30s was arrested after €213,000 in cash was found in a search of a home in Clondalkin, Dublin, and was later released from custody pending a file being sent to the DPP.
  • The two men in custody can be questioned for up to seven days.
Investigation
  • Gardaí have been investigating a south Dublin organised crime gang for three years, which one report describes as supplying drugs to the east of the country.
  • Eight vehicles were seized as evidence of money laundering and proceeds of crime, and more than €280,000 was frozen in bank accounts.
  • Gardaí say investigations are ongoing.
Charges
Michael Clampett was cautioned and charged at Crumlin Garda Station on 2 February with possession of drugs and possession of drugs for sale or supply.
In court
  • Michael Clampett appeared before a special sitting of Bray District Court on 3 February and was remanded in custody with consent to bail.
  • Bail conditions require Michael Clampett to surrender his passport and travel documents, sign on three times a week at Arklow Garda Station, and lodge a €10,000 bond with two independent sureties providing the same sum.
  • Legal aid was granted to Michael Clampett, and he is due to appear again before Arklow District Court on 7 February.
20 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatTwo men were arrested after €3.1 million worth of cocaine, cash, vehicles and other items were seized in searches in Dublin and Wicklow. (rte.ie)
  • whatGardaí said a further €140,000 in cash was seized in later searches. (rte.ie)
  • whatCocaine estimated to be worth more than €3m was seized. (rte.ie)
  • whereIn Aughrim, County Wicklow, a man in his 30s was arrested after 44kg of cocaine was found during a vehicle search. (rte.ie)
  • whereMichael Clampett had an address in Aughrim, County Wicklow. (rte.ie)
  • whereThe seizure followed a search of a van in Aughrim. (rte.ie)
  • whenGardaí searched 37 homes, businesses, cars and vans on the day before the article was published. (rte.ie)
  • investigationGardaí said eight vehicles were seized as evidence of money laundering and proceeds of crime, and more than €280,000 was frozen in bank accounts. (rte.ie)
  • investigationGardaí have been investigating a south Dublin organised crime gang for the past three years. (rte.ie)
  • investigationGardaí say investigations are ongoing. (rte.ie)
  • investigationA second man in his 30s was released from custody pending a file being sent to the DPP. (rte.ie)
  • chargeMichael Clampett was cautioned and charged at Crumlin Garda Station. (rte.ie)
  • chargeMichael Clampett was charged with possession of drugs and possession of drugs for sale or supply. (rte.ie)
  • courtMichael Clampett appeared before a special sitting of Bray District Court. (rte.ie)
  • courtMichael Clampett was remanded in custody with consent to bail. (rte.ie)
  • courtMichael Clampett is due to appear again before Arklow District Court on 7 February. (rte.ie)
  • sentenceMichael Clampett was ordered to surrender his passport and any travel documents and to sign on three times a week at Arklow Garda Station. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe two men in custody can be questioned for up to seven days. (rte.ie)
  • otherMichael Clampett must lodge his own bond of €10,000 and two independent sureties must provide the same sum. (rte.ie)
  • otherLegal aid was granted to Michael Clampett. (rte.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 3 Feb2024
    In courtrte.ie, first report
    Man in court over seizure of cocaine worth €3m

    First report of the case. Covers the charge, the court appearance, bail terms and the release of a second man.

    accused, Michael Clampett, 52, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Clampettsuspect, 30s, male
  2. 2 Feb2024
    Arrestedrte.ie, follow-up
    Two arrests after cocaine worth €3.1m, cars, cash seized

    Reports the Aughrim vehicle search as part of a wider garda operation targeting a south Dublin gang. Adds the 44kg cocaine weight, the man's age range, and the arrest rather than a charge, and says he can be questioned for up to seven days.

    suspect, 30s, male