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. 2076Possession of controlled drugs (cocaine, cannabis) for sale or supply · Co. Louth · 12 Mar 2025

Two men charged over €2m drug seizure in Tenure, Co Louth refused bail

On 12 March 2025, the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau seized cocaine and cannabis with an estimated street value of €1.94 million following a vehicle interception in the Drogheda area of Co. Louth and simultaneous searches at a business in Drogheda and two residential properties in Drogheda and North Dublin. man Alan Crosby, 45, and Indian national Varinder Singh, 32, were arrested on suspicion of facilitating and enhancing drug trafficking for a criminal organisation. Both men were charged with possession of cocaine for sale or supply at Main Street, Tenure, and Singh was additionally charged with possession of cannabis for sale or supply at Tenure Business Park, Tenure. Judge Andrew Cody refused bail to both men at Ardee District Court on 14 March 2025 and remanded them in custody, and they were ordered to appear by video-link at Dundalk District Court on a subsequent Wednesday.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrested12 Mar
    2 reports
  3. Charged12 Mar
  4. In court14 Mar
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Cocaine and cannabis with an estimated street value of €1.94 million (reported as €2.18 million in some sources) were seized in a search of a van and a lock-up unit.
Where
A vehicle was intercepted in the Drogheda area of Co. Louth, and simultaneous searches were carried out at a business in Drogheda and two residential properties in Drogheda and North Dublin.
When
The operation took place shortly before 9am on Wednesday 12 March 2025.
Investigation
The operation was an intelligence-led surveillance by the GNDOCB supported by the Louth South Divisional Drugs Unit, in collaboration with the PSNI under the cross-border Joint Agency Task Force, targeting a transnational criminal organisation involved in the importation of controlled drugs.
Charges
Alan Crosby (45) and Varinder Singh (32) were charged with possession of cocaine for sale or supply and unlawful possession at Main Street, Tenure; Singh was additionally charged with possession of cannabis for sale or supply and unlawful possession at Tenure Business Park, Tenure.
In court
  • Judge Andrew Cody refused bail to both men at Ardee District Court on 14 March 2025 and remanded them in custody.
  • Both men were ordered to appear by video-link at Dundalk District Court on a subsequent Wednesday.
Other details
  • The men were arrested on suspicion of facilitating and enhancing drug trafficking for a criminal organisation under Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006.
  • Singh, an Indian national who arrived in the country on 22 February 2025, said he was only working with food when the cocaine charge was put to him.
36 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatCocaine and cannabis with an estimated potential street value of €1.94 million were seized. (garda.ie)
  • whatGNDOCB seized €1.94m worth of cocaine and cannabis in a search operation. (garda.ie)
  • whatTwo men aged in their 30s and 40s were arrested in connection with the investigation. (garda.ie)
  • whatTwo men in their 30s and 40s were arrested. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe estimated street value of the seized drugs is €1.94 million. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe cocaine and cannabis seized had a street value of €2.18 million (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe drugs were seized in a search of a van and a lock-up unit (irishtimes.com)
  • whereA vehicle was intercepted in the Drogheda area of Co. Louth. (garda.ie)
  • whereSimultaneous searches were carried out at a business in Drogheda and two residential properties in Drogheda and North Dublin. (garda.ie)
  • whereThe search operation took place in Co. Louth and Co. Dublin. (garda.ie)
  • whereA car was intercepted in the Drogheda area. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereSimultaneous searches were carried out at a business premises in Drogheda and two residential premises in Drogheda and North Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe cocaine was allegedly possessed at Main Street, Tenure (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe cannabis was allegedly possessed at Tenure Business Park, Tenure (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe operation took place shortly before 9am on 12 March 2025. (garda.ie)
  • whenThe search operation took place on Wednesday 12 March 2025. (garda.ie)
  • whenThe car was intercepted shortly after 9am on Wednesday morning, 12 March 2025. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe two men are detained at a Louth Garda Station under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007. (garda.ie)
  • investigationThe operation resulted from ongoing collaboration between the GNDOCB and the PSNI under the cross-border Joint Agency Task Force. (garda.ie)
  • investigationThe operation was conducted by the Garda National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau supported by the Louth South Divisional Drugs Unit. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe men are being questioned at a Co. Louth Garda Station. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe operation was conducted under the cross-border Joint Agency Task Force in collaboration with the Police Service of Northern Ireland. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe operation was an intelligence-led surveillance by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationDet Garda Joe Kavanagh from the GNECB gave evidence in court (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeTwo males in their 30s and 40s were arrested on suspicion of facilitating and enhancing drug trafficking for a criminal organisation. (garda.ie)
  • chargeThe two men have been charged. (garda.ie)
  • chargeThe men were arrested on suspicion of facilitating and enhancing drug trafficking for a criminal organisation. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThey are due before Ardee District Court on 14 March 2025 at 10:30am. (garda.ie)
  • courtJudge Andrew Cody refused bail to both men and remanded them in custody (irishtimes.com)
  • courtBoth men were ordered to appear by video-link at Dundalk District Court on Wednesday (irishtimes.com)
  • otherDetective Chief Superintendent Seamus Boland is the head of the GNDOCB. (garda.ie)
  • otherDetective Chief Superintendent Seamus Boland spoke after the seizure. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe operation targeted a transnational criminal organisation involved in the importation of controlled drugs (irishtimes.com)
  • otherVarinder Singh is an Indian national who arrived in the country on 22 February 2025 (irishtimes.com)
  • otherSingh had been renting a room in Drogheda (irishtimes.com)
  • otherSingh said he was only working with food when the cocaine charge was put to him (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 14 Mar2025
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Two men charged over €2m Co Louth drug seizure refused bail

    Court appearance details, charges, bail refusal, and Singh's statements in response to charges.

    suspect, Alan Crosby, 45, male, named, irish (judged from name)Alan Crosbysuspect, Varinder Singh, 32, male, Indian, named, non-irishVarinder Singh
  2. 13 Mar2025
    Arrestedirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Two men arrested by Gardai after €2m cocaine and cannabis seizure

    Initial arrest report detailing the operation: a car was intercepted in Drogheda and simultaneous searches were carried out at a business and two residential premises. The operation was conducted under the cross-border Joint Agency Task Force (JATF) in collaboration with the PSNI.

    suspect, 30s, malesuspect, 40s, male
  3. 12 Mar2025
    Chargedgarda.ie, follow-up
    Update: Court Appearance - GNDOCB Seize €1.94m Cocaine and Cannabis in Search Operation in Co. Louth and Co. Dublin, Wednesday 12th March 2025

    Confirms the two men have been charged and provides their court appearance date and time at Ardee District Court.

    suspect, 30s, malesuspect, 40s, male
  4. 12 Mar2025
    Arrestedgarda.ie, first report
    GNDOCB Seize €1.94 Cocaine and Cannabis in Search Operation in Co. Louth and Co. Dublin, Wednesday 12th March 2025

    First report of the GNDOCB/PSNI joint operation; two males arrested and detained at a Louth Garda Station.

    suspect, 30s, malesuspect, 40s, male