Sunday 1 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. 21642Drugs offence (cannabis seizure) · Co. Dublin · 30 Mar 2023

Three men arrested over €600,000 cannabis seizure in Balbriggan

On 30 March 2023, officers from the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, supported by the Special Crime Task Force, intercepted two vehicles shortly before 2.00pm in the Balbriggan area of County Dublin. Cannabis herb worth in excess of €600,000 and €15,000 in cash was seized during the operation, conducted under Operation TARA targeting organised criminal activity. Three men, aged 37, 40 and 44, were arrested in relation to drug trafficking and detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996 at a Garda Station in North County Dublin. The seized drugs were to be forwarded to the Forensic Science Institute for analysis, and investigations remain ongoing.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrested30 Mar
    3 reports
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Cannabis herb worth in excess of €600,000 and €15,000 in cash was seized.
  • Three males, aged 37, 40 and 44, were arrested in relation to drug trafficking.
Where
The interception took place in the Balbriggan area of County Dublin.
When
The interception occurred shortly before 2.00pm on Thursday 30 March 2023.
Investigation
  • The operation was conducted under Operation TARA by the GNDOCB supported by the Special Crime Task Force.
  • Two vehicles were stopped and searched.
  • The men were detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996 at a Garda Station in North County Dublin.
  • The seized drugs were to be forwarded to the Forensic Science Institute for analysis.
  • Investigations are ongoing.
22 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatCannabis herb worth in excess of €600,000 was seized. (garda.ie, dublinlive.ie)
  • what€15,000 in cash was seized. (garda.ie, dublinlive.ie)
  • whatThree males, aged 37, 40 and 44, were arrested. (garda.ie)
  • whatTwo vehicles were stopped and searched. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whatThree men, aged 37, 40 and 44, were arrested in relation to drug trafficking. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whatThree people were arrested in connection with a cannabis seizure. (extra.ie)
  • whatApproximately €600,000 worth of cannabis was seized. (extra.ie)
  • whereThe interception took place in the Balbriggan area of County Dublin. (garda.ie)
  • whereThe men were detained at a Garda Station in North County Dublin. (garda.ie)
  • whereThe search took place in the Balbriggan area. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whereThe men are being held at a garda station in North County Dublin. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whereThe seizure took place in Dublin. (extra.ie)
  • whenThe interception occurred shortly before 2.00pm on Thursday 30 March 2023. (garda.ie)
  • whenThe vehicles were stopped shortly before 2.00pm. (dublinlive.ie)
  • investigationThe operation was conducted under Operation TARA targeting organised criminal activity. (garda.ie)
  • investigationGNDOCB personnel supported by the Special Crime Task Force intercepted two vehicles. (garda.ie)
  • investigationThe men were detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996. (garda.ie, dublinlive.ie)
  • investigationThe seized drugs will be forwarded to FSI for analysis. (garda.ie)
  • investigationInvestigations are ongoing. (garda.ie)
  • investigationThe drugs seized will be forwarded to FSI for analysis. (dublinlive.ie)
  • investigationThe operation was conducted by the Garda National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau, supported by the Special Crime Task Force. (dublinlive.ie)
  • chargeThe men were arrested in relation to drug trafficking. (garda.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 31 Mar2023
    Arrestedextra.ie, its first report
    Three Arrested After €600k Of Cannabis Seized In Dublin

    Brief confirmation of the arrests and seizure; no additional details beyond the existing case record.

    suspectsuspectsuspect
  2. 31 Mar2023
    Arresteddublinlive.ie, its first report
    Three men arrested after €600k worth of cannabis nabbed during Dublin search

    Initial arrest report following a joint GNDOCB and Special Crime Task Force vehicle search in Balbriggan; drugs to be sent to FSI for analysis.

    suspect, 37, malesuspect, 40, malesuspect, 44, male
  3. 30 Mar2023
    Arrestedgarda.ie, first report
    Operation Tara – GNDOCB €600k Drugs seizure and three Arrests - North Dublin 30th March 2023

    Official Garda press release confirming the arrest details, adding that the Special Crime Task Force was involved, the interception occurred shortly before 2.00pm, the drugs will be forwarded to FSI for analysis, and the men are detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996 at a Garda Station in North County Dublin.

    suspect, 37, malesuspect, 40, malesuspect, 44, male