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. 5168Drug trafficking (suspected cannabis and cocaine) · Co. Monaghan · 29 Aug 2024

Two men arrested after suspected cannabis and cocaine worth over €550,000 seized in Monaghan and Galway

On Thursday 29 August 2024, detective and Garda units searched six locations in Monaghan and Galway in an operation targeting a suspected organised crime gang involved in importing and selling controlled drugs in the North East and West of Ireland. Gardaí seized over €550,000 of suspected cannabis and cocaine, €65,000 in cash, four cars and a Rolex watch. Two men, in their 40s and 50s, were arrested and detained at a Garda station under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996; their nationalities and names have not been given. The seized drugs were to be sent to Forensic Science Ireland for analysis, and as of the 30 August 2024 garda.ie release and the Irish Times report, investigations were ongoing.

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

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Gardaí seized over €550,000 of suspected cannabis and cocaine.
  • Gardaí also seized €65,000 in cash, four cars and a Rolex watch.
  • Two men in their 40s and 50s were arrested.
Where
Six locations in Monaghan and Galway were searched.
When
The searches took place on Thursday, 29 August 2024.
Cause
Gardaí targeted an organised crime gang suspected of importing and selling controlled drugs in the North East and West of Ireland.
Investigation
  • Detective and Drug Unit personnel from the Louth/Cavan/Monaghan and Galway Divisions carried out the searches.
  • The seized drugs are to be sent to Forensic Science Ireland for analysis.
  • Investigations are ongoing, according to a garda spokesman.
Other details
The two men are detained at a Garda station under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996.
17 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatOver €550,000 of suspected cannabis and cocaine was seized. (garda.ie)
  • what€65,000 in cash, four cars and a Rolex watch were seized. (garda.ie)
  • whatTwo men in their 40s and 50s were arrested after drugs worth over €550,000 were discovered. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatOver €550,000 of suspected cannabis and cocaine, €65,000 in cash, four cars and a Rolex watch were seized. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereSix locations were searched in Monaghan and Galway. (garda.ie)
  • whereSix locations in Monaghan and Galway were searched. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe searches took place on Thursday, 29 August 2024. (garda.ie)
  • whenThe operation took place on a Thursday. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí conducted a major operation targeting an organised crime gang suspected of importing and selling drugs in the North East and West of Ireland. (garda.ie)
  • investigationThe seized drugs will be sent to Forensic Science Ireland for analysis. (garda.ie)
  • investigationInvestigations are ongoing. (garda.ie)
  • investigationThe seized drugs will be sent to Forensic Science Ireland for further analysis. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationA garda spokesman said investigations are ongoing. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherTwo men in their 40s and 50s were arrested as part of the investigation. (garda.ie)
  • otherThe two men are detained at a Garda station under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996. (garda.ie)
  • otherThe gang is suspected of importing and selling controlled drugs in the northeast and west of Ireland. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe two arrested men are being detained at a Garda station under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 30 Aug2024
    Arrestedirishtimes.com, first report
    Two men arrested following discovery of suspected cannabis and cocaine worth more than €550,000

    Reports a major operation by detective and Galway gardaí against a suspected organised crime gang, with six searches in Monaghan and Galway, the seizure of drugs, cash, cars and a watch, and two arrests.

    suspect, 40s, malesuspect, 50s, male
  2. 29 Aug2024
    Arrestedgarda.ie, follow-up
    Two Arrested and €550,000 Drugs Seized - Co.Monaghan and Co.Galway - 29th August 2024

    Official garda.ie press release (issued 30 August 2024) that names no suspects. It adds the €65,000 cash figure, that the two men are detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996, and that the drugs go to Forensic Science Ireland for analysis.

    suspect, 40s, malesuspect, 50s, male