Thursday 5 November 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. 29870Possession of drugs (Alprazolam/Xanax); drug trafficking · Co. Dublin · 29 Sep 2021

Man charged with drug trafficking at Dublin Airport

On 29 September 2021, a 56-year-old man was stopped and searched by Revenue Customs officials at Dublin Airport as he arrived into the country. He was found in possession of a large quantity of Alprazolam (Xanax) tablets with an estimated street value in excess of €60,000. He was arrested at the scene and taken to Ballymun Garda Station, where he was detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996. The seized drugs were sent for analysis and investigations were ongoing. The man was subsequently charged and is due to appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice (Court 4) on 1 October 2021.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrested29 Sep
    2 reports
  3. Charged29 Sep
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A 56-year-old man was found in possession of a large quantity of Alprazolam (Xanax) tablets with an estimated street value in excess of €60,000.
Where
The stop and search took place at Dublin Airport and the man was taken to Ballymun Garda Station.
When
The stop and search took place at approximately 11:45pm on 29 September 2021.
Investigation
  • Gardaí attached to Dublin Airport were called to assist Revenue Customs in relation to the stop and search.
  • The seized drugs were sent for analysis and investigations were ongoing.
Charges
The man was charged and detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996.
In court
He is due to appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice (Court 4) on Friday 1 October 2021.
Other details
He remains in Garda custody.
20 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA man in his 50s was arrested in relation to the seizure of €60,000 worth of Alprazolam tablets at Dublin Airport on 29 September 2021 (garda.ie)
  • whatThe man was 56 years old. (garda.ie, irishmirror.ie)
  • whatHe was in possession of a large amount of Alprazolam tablets. (garda.ie)
  • whatThe tablets had an estimated street value in excess of €60,000. (garda.ie)
  • whatThe man was arrested at the scene. (garda.ie)
  • whatA man was arrested at Dublin Airport after drugs were found on him. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatXanax tablets worth €60,000 were found on the man. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereHe was taken to Ballymun Garda Station. (garda.ie)
  • whereThe man was taken to Ballymun Garda Station. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe stop and search took place at approximately 11.45pm on 29 September 2021. (garda.ie)
  • whenGardaí were called for assistance at approximately 11:45pm on 29 September 2021. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí attached to Dublin Airport were called to assist Revenue Customs in relation to the stop and search. (garda.ie)
  • investigationThe seized drugs will be sent for analysis. (garda.ie, irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationInvestigations are ongoing. (garda.ie, irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationRevenue officials found the drugs during a search at customs. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeThe man has been charged (garda.ie)
  • chargeHe is detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996. (garda.ie)
  • courtHe is due to appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice (Court 4) on Friday 1 October 2021 (garda.ie)
  • courtThe man is detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHe remains in Garda custody at the time of the release. (garda.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 30 Sep2021
    Arrestedirishmirror.ie, its first report
    Gardai pounce on arrival at Dublin Airport as massive drug seizure made

    First report of the arrest and seizure at Dublin Airport; the man is in custody and investigations are ongoing.

    suspect, 56, male
  2. 29 Sep2021
    Arrestedgarda.ie, follow-up
    Arrest and Drug Seizure, Dublin Airport. 29th September, 2021

    Official Garda press release confirming the arrest, specifying the time (approximately 11.45pm), the location of detention (Ballymun Garda Station), and that the seized drugs will be sent for analysis.

    suspect, 56, male
  3. 29 Sep2021
    Chargedgarda.ie, first report
    Update: Arrest and Drug Seizure - Dublin Airport - 29th September 2021

    Confirms the man has been charged and provides his court date: Criminal Courts of Justice (Court 4), Friday 1 October 2021.

    suspect, 50s, male