Saturday 31 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. 18973Drug offences · Co. Kildare · 1 Dec 2023

Two men charged over suspected €8 million heroin seizure

On Friday 1 December 2023, around midday, gardaí seized a light aircraft and up to 60kg of vacuum-packed heroin, with an estimated street value of €8 million, at Weston Airport. Two men in their 40s and 60s were arrested, one on the plane and one nearby, on suspicion of organised crime activity, and were detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 at a garda station in Co Kildare. Detectives say the drugs were sourced by a family-based west Dublin gang with links to the Kinahan Organised Crime Group. The two men have since been charged in relation to the seizure and were due to appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice on Monday 4 December 2023.

  1. Reported2 Dec
  2. Arrested1 Dec
    2 reports
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court4 Dec
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Gardaí seized up to 60kg of vacuum-packed heroin, with an estimated street value of €8 million, found in holdalls on a light aircraft.
Where
The seizure was made at Weston Airport, which some reports place in Dublin and others in Counties Kildare and Dublin.
When
The seizure was made around midday on Friday, 1 December 2023.
Weapon
No weapons are mentioned in the reports of the seizure.
Investigation
  • The seizure followed an intelligence-led operation involving the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau and Revenue, which also involved the Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre in Lisbon, Portugal.
  • Two men, aged in their 40s and 60s, were arrested, one on the plane and one nearby, on suspicion of organised crime activity.
  • The light aircraft was seized and gardaí were tracing its flightpath.
  • Gardaí said investigations are ongoing.
Other details
  • The men were detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 at a garda station in Co Kildare and could be held for up to seven days.
  • The seizure is described as the largest suspected heroin seizure in Ireland this year.
Cause
Detectives say the drugs were sourced by a family-based west Dublin gang with links to the Kinahan Organised Crime Group, for distribution in Dublin and around the country.
Charges
The two men have been charged in relation to the seizure.
In court
The two men were due to appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice, Court 2, on Monday, 4 December 2023 at 10.30am.
29 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatGardaí seized a plane and heroin worth €8 million at Weston Airport in Dublin. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatHeroin with an estimated street value of €8 million was seized on a plane at Weston Airport. (rte.ie)
  • whatUp to 60kg of vacuum-packed heroin was found in holdalls. (rte.ie)
  • whatGardaí seized €8 million of heroin. (extra.ie)
  • whatSuspected heroin worth €8 million was seized. (kildarenow.com)
  • whereThe aircraft and vehicle were intercepted in South County Dublin and County Kildare. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereThe light aircraft and the drugs were seized at Weston Airport. (rte.ie)
  • whereThe heroin was taken from a plane at Weston Airport. (extra.ie)
  • whereThe seizure was in Counties Kildare and Dublin. (kildarenow.com)
  • whenThe seizure was made earlier today, according to the report. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenThe seizure was made around midday. (rte.ie)
  • whenThe heroin was seized on Friday, 1 December 2023. (kildarenow.com)
  • investigationThe seizure followed an extensive intelligence operation involving Revenue and the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationThe two men were arrested on suspicion of organised crime activity. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationThe seizure followed an intelligence-led operation involving the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau and Revenue Customs. (rte.ie)
  • investigationTwo men in their 40s and 60s have been arrested, one on the plane and one nearby. (rte.ie)
  • investigationThe men are being detained under drugs trafficking legislation at a garda station in Co Kildare and can be questioned for up to seven days. (rte.ie)
  • investigationThe light aircraft has been seized and gardaí are tracing its flightpath. (rte.ie)
  • investigationGardaí arrested two men in connection with the seizure. (kildarenow.com)
  • investigationInvestigations are ongoing. (kildarenow.com)
  • chargeThe two men have been charged in relation to the seizure. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtThe two men were due to appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice on Monday, 4 December 2023. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherThe two men are being detained in Kildare under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2006. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe two men can be held for up to seven days. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe seizure is the largest of heroin in Ireland so far this year. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherDetectives say the drugs were sourced by a west Dublin gang with links to the Kinahan Organised Crime Group, for distribution in Dublin and around the country. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe seizure was described as the largest seizure of heroin in Ireland this year. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe operation involved the Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre in Lisbon, Portugal. (rte.ie)
  • otherIt is the largest suspected heroin seizure in Ireland this year. (kildarenow.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 4 Dec2023
    In courtkildarenow.com, first report
    BREAKING: Court appearance due for men arrested in connection to suspected €8 million heroin drug seizure

    First report of the charges against two men over the €8 million heroin seizure, and of their court appearance on 4 December 2023.

    accused, maleaccused, male
  2. 2 Dec2023
    Reportedextra.ie, follow-up
    Gardaí Seize €8m Of Heroin From Plane In Weston Airport

    Headline only; the article body is empty template text. It reports the same €8m heroin seizure as existing case 18973, matched by value and location. It adds the plane and Weston Airport.

  3. 1 Dec2023
    Arrestedrte.ie, follow-up
    Airplane and €8m worth of drugs seized in Dublin

    Adds the location (Weston Airport), the aircraft seizure, the quantity of up to 60kg, the detention of the two men, the investigating agencies, the alleged Kinahan Organised Crime Group link and the Lisbon maritime centre's role.

    suspect, 40s, malesuspect, 60s, male
  4. 1 Dec2023
    Arrestedthejournal.ie, follow-up
    Two arrests and €8 million in heroin seized as Gardaí intercept plane at Weston Airport

    Names Weston Airport as the location, describes the aircraft and vehicle interception, gives the two men's suspected offence as organised crime, and states they are held under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2006.

    suspect, malesuspect, male