Wednesday 28 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. 0563Possession of controlled drugs · Co. Laois · 15 Jul 2026

Man in 40s arrested after €122,400 worth of cocaine and cannabis seized in Stradbally, Laois

On 15 July 2026, Gardaí seized approximately €122,400 worth of cannabis and cocaine during a warrant search of a residence in Stradbally, Co. Laois, as part of Operation Tara targeting the sale and supply of controlled drugs. A man in his 40s was arrested in connection with the investigation and detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996 at a Garda station in the Co. Offaly area. The man has since been charged and is expected to appear before Portlaoise District Court on 16 July 2026. The seized substances are being analysed by Forensic Science Ireland and investigations are ongoing.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrested16 Jul
    2 reports
  3. Charged16 Jul
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Approximately €122,400 worth of cannabis and cocaine was seized, comprising €85,000 cannabis herb, €35,000 cocaine and €2,400 cannabis resin.
Where
The seizure took place during a search of a residence in Stradbally, Co. Laois.
When
The search and arrest took place on Wednesday, 15 July 2026.
Investigation
  • The search was carried out under warrant by the Laois Drugs Unit assisted by the Laois Detective Unit as part of Operation Tara targeting the sale and supply of controlled drugs.
  • A man in his 40s was arrested in connection with the investigation and detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996 at a Garda station in the Co. Offaly area.
  • The seized substances are subject to analysis by Forensic Science Ireland and investigations are ongoing.
Charges
The man has been charged in connection with the seizure.
In court
He is expected to appear before Portlaoise District Court on 16 July 2026.
26 statements extracted from the articles
  • what€122,400 worth of cannabis and cocaine was seized (garda.ie)
  • whatGardaí arrested a man and seized cannabis and cocaine worth approximately €122,400 during a search of a residence. (garda.ie)
  • whatApproximately €85,000 cannabis herb, €35,000 cocaine and €2,400 cannabis resin were seized. (garda.ie)
  • whatApproximately €122,400 worth of cocaine and cannabis was seized (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatApproximately €85,000 worth of cannabis herb was seized (irishmirror.ie)
  • what€35,000 worth of cocaine was seized (irishmirror.ie)
  • what€2,400 worth of cannabis resin was seized (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatA man in his 40s was arrested in connection with the investigation (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe seizure took place in Stradbally, Co. Laois (garda.ie)
  • whereThe search was carried out at a residence in Stradbally, Laois (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe man is detained at a Garda station in the Co Offaly area (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe seizure took place on 15 July 2026 (garda.ie)
  • whenThe court appearance is on 16 July 2026 (garda.ie)
  • whenThe seizure took place on Wednesday, 15 July 2026 (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe man was arrested in connection with the investigation into the seizure of drugs (garda.ie)
  • investigationThe search was carried out under warrant by the Laois Drugs Unit assisted by the Laois Detective Unit in Stradbally, Co Laois. (garda.ie)
  • investigationThe man is detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996 at a Garda station in the Co Offaly area. (garda.ie)
  • investigationThe seized substances are being analysed by Forensic Science Ireland. (garda.ie)
  • investigationInvestigations are ongoing. (garda.ie)
  • investigationThe search was part of Operation Tara targeting the sale and supply of controlled drugs (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe search was carried out under warrant by the Laois Drugs Unit assisted by the Laois Detective Unit (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe man is detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996 (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe seized substances are subject to analysis by Forensic Science Ireland (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeThe man has been charged (garda.ie)
  • courtHe is expected to appear before Portlaoise District Court (garda.ie)
  • otherThe operation targets the sale and supply of controlled drugs. (garda.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 21 Jul2026
    Arrestedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Man, 40s, arrested after €122,400 worth of cocaine and cannabis seized

    Reports the arrest of a man in his 40s and the seizure of €85,000 cannabis herb, €35,000 cocaine and €2,400 cannabis resin during a warrant search under Operation Tara in Stradbally, Laois.

    suspect, 40s, male
  2. 16 Jul2026
    Arrestedgarda.ie, follow-up
    16/07/2026 Operation Tara – Seizure of €87,400 Cannabis, €35,000 Cocaine, One Arrest, Co. Laois, 15th July 2026

    Official Garda press release confirming the seizure breakdown (€85,000 cannabis herb, €35,000 cocaine, €2,400 cannabis resin) and the legal basis for detention under the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996.

    suspect, 40s, male
  3. 16 Jul2026
    Chargedgarda.ie, follow-up
    16/07/2026 Court Appearance - Operation Tara – Seizure of €87,400 Cannabis, €35,000 Cocaine, One Arrest, Co. Laois, 15th July 2026

    The man has been charged and is expected to appear before Portlaoise District Court on 16 July 2026.

    suspect, 40s, male