Three men charged over €640,000 cannabis seizure in Co. Kildare
On 23 June 2026, an intelligence-led joint operation by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau and Revenue Customs Service intercepted two vehicles in the Kildare area, leading to the seizure of 32kg of suspected herbal cannabis with an estimated value of €640,000. Three men in their 30s and 40s were arrested at the scene on suspicion of drug trafficking and detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996. A search of a business premises in the Ballymore Eustace area uncovered a fully operational cocaine production laboratory. By 4 July 2026, the three men had been charged and appeared before court, with investigations ongoing with the assistance of Forensic Science Ireland.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrested24 Jun
2 reports - Charged4 Jul
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- 32kg of suspected herbal cannabis with an estimated value of €640,000 was seized.
- A fully operational cocaine production laboratory was discovered at a business premises in the Ballymore Eustace area.
- Three men in their 30s and 40s were arrested at the scene on suspicion of drug trafficking.
- Where
- Two vehicles were intercepted in the Kildare area.
- When
- The seizure occurred on Tuesday 23 June 2026.
- Investigation
- The operation was an intelligence-led joint effort by the GNDOCB and Revenue Customs Service.
- The three men are detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996 at Garda stations in the Kildare area.
- Investigations are ongoing with the assistance of Forensic Science Ireland.
- Charges
- The three men have been charged with possession of controlled drugs.
- In court
- The three charged men appeared before court as of 4 July 2026.
25 statements extracted from the articles
- what32kg of suspected herbal cannabis with an estimated value of €640,000 was seized (garda.ie)
- whatThree males in their 30s and 40s were arrested at the scene on suspicion of drug trafficking (garda.ie)
- whatA fully operational cocaine production laboratory was discovered at the business premises (garda.ie)
- whatA fully operational cocaine production laboratory was discovered (irishmirror.ie)
- what32kg of suspected herbal cannabis was seized (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe cannabis was worth an estimated €640,000 (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThree men in their 30s and 40s were arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking (irishmirror.ie)
- whereTwo vehicles were intervened in the Kildare Area (garda.ie)
- whereA search was carried out at a business premises in the Ballymore Eustace area (garda.ie)
- whereTwo vehicles were intercepted in the Kildare area (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe cocaine lab was found at a business premises in the Ballymore Eustace area (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe seizure occurred on Tuesday 23 June 2026. (garda.ie)
- investigationThe seizure was part of an intelligence-led joint operation by the GNDOCB and Revenue Customs Service (garda.ie)
- investigationThe three men are detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996 at Garda Stations in the Kildare area (garda.ie)
- investigationInvestigations are ongoing with the assistance of Forensic Science Ireland (garda.ie)
- investigationThe operation was carried out by the GNDOCB and Revenue's Customs Service (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe men are detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996 (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationInvestigations are continuing with assistance from Forensic Science Ireland (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe operation was intelligence-led (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe operation was a joint effort between Gardaí and Revenue Customs Service. (garda.ie)
- investigationInvestigations into the matter are ongoing. (garda.ie)
- chargeThe three arrested males have been charged. (garda.ie)
- courtThe three charged males appeared before court. (garda.ie)
- other€640,000 worth of cannabis was seized. (garda.ie)
- otherThree males aged in their 30s and 40s were arrested in connection with the investigation. (garda.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 4 Jul202604/07/2026 Update (1) Joint Operation - Gardaí and Revenue Customs Service seize €640,000 cannabis, Co. Kildare, Tuesday 23rd June 2026
Brief update confirming that three arrested males have been charged and appeared before court; investigations ongoing.
suspect, 30s, malesuspect, 30s, malesuspect, 40s, male - 24 Jun2026Gardai uncover fully operational cocaine lab during major drugs raid
Adds details about the discovery of a fully operational cocaine production laboratory at a business premises in Ballymore Eustace, the specific quantity of 32kg cannabis, the units involved (GNDOCB and Revenue), the legal basis for detention under the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996, and Forensic Science Ireland's involvement.
suspect, 30s, malesuspect, 30s, malesuspect, 40s, male - 24 Jun202624/06/2026 Joint Operation - Gardaí and Revenue Customs Service seize €640,000 cannabis, Co. Kildare, Tuesday 23rd June 2026
Original report of the arrest and seizure; adds detail about the cocaine production laboratory found at a business premises in Ballymore Eustace, the specific statutory detention under the Drug Trafficking Act, and the involvement of Forensic Science Ireland.
suspect, 30s, malesuspect, 40s, malesuspect, 30s or 40s, male