Ireland Case No. 0357Possession of controlled drugs · Co. Dublin
Two men remanded over drug possession charges in Blanchardstown
On 28 August 2026, the Dublin Crime Response Team intercepted a drug handover at the Brandon Square car park in Blanchardstown, where Irish IT technician David Royle, 62, was observed receiving a Smyths shopping bag containing 18kg of suspected cocaine from Polish man Tomasz Nowosad, 53. Follow-up searches seized a further 4kg of cocaine from a vehicle at the scene, 4kg of cannabis and 5,000 MDMA tablets from Royle's home, and 2kg of cocaine from Nowosad's car, bringing the total to an estimated €2.2 million to €2.3 million. Both men were arrested under the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996 and charged with possession and sale or supply of drugs. They appeared at Dublin District Court on 31 August and were remanded at Cloverhill Prison with consent to bail, with a further hearing set for Friday.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrested29 Aug
4 reports - Charged30 Aug
- In court1 Aug
3 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- The Dublin Crime Response Team intercepted a drug handover and seized 18kg of suspected cocaine in a Smyths shopping bag, 4kg of cocaine from a vehicle at the scene, 4kg of cannabis and 5,000 MDMA tablets from Royle's home, and 2kg of cocaine from Nowosad's car, with a total estimated value of €2.2 million to €2.3 million.
- Where
- The handover was intercepted at the car park area of Brandon Square, Waterville, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, and follow-up searches were conducted at Royle's home on Crumlin Road, Dublin 12.
- When
- The seizure occurred on Friday, 28 August 2026, and both men appeared at Dublin District Court on Monday, 31 August 2026.
- Cause
- Royle was observed receiving a Smyths Toys shopping bag from Nowosad during the intercepted handover.
- Investigation
- The operation was an intelligence-led investigation by the Dublin Crime Response Team, and the seized drugs were forwarded to Forensic Science Ireland for analysis.
- Charges
- Royle was charged with three counts of possession of drugs for sale or supply and three counts of possession of drugs, and Nowosad was charged with two counts of possession of drugs for sale or supply and two counts of possession.
- In court
- Royle appeared before Judge Stephanie Coggins and Nowosad before Judge Mark O'Connell at Dublin District Court on 31 August 2026.
- Sentence
- Both men were remanded at Cloverhill Prison with consent to bail, with Royle on a €10,000 bond with €5,000 cash and a €5,000 independent surety and Nowosad on a €5,000 cash lodgement and an independent surety, and both are due to appear again on Friday.
- Other details
- Royle is a 62-year-old IT technician and father of two, and Nowosad is a 53-year-old Polish unemployed man and father of one who has lived in Ireland for 20 years.
- An encrypted Graphene phone was seized which gardaí believe was used to organise drug distribution, and neither man had prior convictions.
94 statements extracted from the articles
- whatOver €2 million worth of drugs were seized over the weekend in combined seizures. (thejournal.ie)
- whatThe shopping bag contained 18 kilograms of cocaine. (thejournal.ie)
- whatA follow-up search of Royle's home found four kilograms of suspected cannabis and about 5,000 MDMA tablets. (thejournal.ie)
- whatGardaí discovered 18kg of suspected cocaine, estimated at €1.8 million. (rte.ie)
- whatGardaí found 4kg of cannabis herb during follow-up searches. (rte.ie)
- whatGardaí found 5,000 MDMA tablets, estimated at €50,000, in follow-up searches. (rte.ie)
- whatTwo men were arrested after €2.3m worth of drugs was seized in west Dublin on Friday. (dublinlive.ie)
- whatGardaí seized approximately 18 kilograms of suspected cocaine with an estimated value of €1.8 million. (dublinlive.ie)
- whatAn additional four kilograms of suspected cocaine worth €400,000 was seized from a vehicle at the scene. (dublinlive.ie)
- whatTwo males aged in their 50s and 60s were arrested and detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996. (dublinlive.ie)
- what5,000 MDMA tablets worth an estimated €50,000 and 4 kilograms of cannabis herb worth an estimated €56,000 were seized in follow-up searches. (dublinlive.ie)
- whatThe total estimated value of the seizures is €2,306,000. (dublinlive.ie)
- whatMore than €2.3 million worth of drugs were seized in Blanchardstown, west Dublin (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe seizure included cocaine, cannabis and MDMA (irishtimes.com)
- whatAbout 18 kg of suspected cocaine with an estimated value of €1.8 million was seized (irishtimes.com)
- whatAn additional four kilograms of suspected cocaine worth about €400,000 was seized from a vehicle at the scene (irishtimes.com)
- whatFollow-up searches seized 5,000 MDMA tablets worth an estimated €50,000 (irishtimes.com)
- whatFollow-up searches seized four kilograms of cannabis herb worth an estimated €56,000 (irishtimes.com)
- whatAround 18 kg of suspected cocaine with a street value of €1.8 million was seized (irishmirror.ie)
- whatFour kilograms of suspected cocaine valued at €400,000 was found in a vehicle at the scene (irishmirror.ie)
- what5,000 MDMA tablets worth an estimated €50,000 were seized during follow-up searches (irishmirror.ie)
- whatFour kilograms of cannabis herb worth an estimated €56,000 were seized during follow-up searches (irishmirror.ie)
- whatTwo men aged in their 50s and 60s were arrested (irishmirror.ie)
- whatTwo men aged in their 50s and 60s were arrested and detained. (garda.ie)
- whatApproximately €2.3 million worth of suspected cocaine, cannabis, and MDMA was seized. (garda.ie)
- whatAn estimated €1.8m of cocaine was found in a Smyths shopping bag. (rte.ie)
- whatGardaí found 18kg of suspected cocaine in the bag in Royle's car. (rte.ie)
- whatA house search seized MDMA and cannabis, bringing the total to an estimated €2.2m. (rte.ie)
- what18 kg of cocaine worth €1.8 million was found in a bag placed in the boot of Royle's car. (irishtimes.com)
- what4 kg of cannabis valued at €56,000 was found at Royle's house. (irishtimes.com)
- whatApproximately 5,000 ecstasy tablets worth €50,000 were found at Royle's house. (irishtimes.com)
- whatAnother 7 kg of suspected cocaine in Nowosad's car had yet to be tested. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe total amount of drugs seized in the operation was €2.2 million. (irishtimes.com)
- whatRoyle admitted acting as a courier distributing drugs two to three times a week for €200–€300 per kilogram. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe handover was intercepted near a shop on Waterville Road, Blanchardstown. (thejournal.ie)
- whereGardaí seized around €2.3 million worth of suspected drugs in Blanchardstown, Dublin. (rte.ie)
- where4kg of suspected cocaine, estimated at €400,000, was seized from a vehicle at the scene. (rte.ie)
- whereOfficers observed and intercepted the handover of suspected drugs in a public place in Blanchardstown, Dublin 15. (dublinlive.ie)
- whereOfficers observed an alleged drug deal in a public place in Blanchardstown (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe seizure took place in Blanchardstown, Dublin 15. (garda.ie)
- whereThe men were arrested in Blanchardstown, Dublin. (rte.ie)
- whereThe handover took place at the car park area of Brandon Square, Waterville, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15. (irishtimes.com)
- whereRoyle's residence is on Crumlin Road, Dublin 12. (irishtimes.com)
- whereNowosad lives in Knightsbridge, Rush, Co Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe seizure occurred on Friday, 28 August 2026. (garda.ie)
- whenThe court appearance is at 10:30 a.m. on 31 August 2026. (garda.ie)
- whenGardaí observed the men parking beside each other in a Blanchardstown carpark on 28 August. (rte.ie)
- causeRoyle was observed receiving a Smyths Toys shopping bag from Nowosad. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe Dublin Crime Response Team observed and intercepted the two men during a drugs handover. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationA further two kilograms of cocaine were found in a search of Nowosad's vehicle. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationGardaí made the initial seizure after observing and intercepting a handover of suspected drugs in a public place. (rte.ie)
- investigationThe two men were arrested under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996 and detained in a Dublin Metropolitan Region garda station. (rte.ie)
- investigationThe drugs will be sent to Forensic Science Ireland for analysis. (rte.ie)
- investigationInvestigations are ongoing, according to gardaí. (rte.ie)
- investigationThe operation was part of an intelligence-led investigation into the sale and supply of controlled drugs carried out by the Dublin Crime Response Team. (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationFollow-up searches were conducted in Dublin Metropolitan Region North and Dublin Metropolitan Region South. (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationThe drugs seized will be forwarded to Forensic Science Ireland for analysis. (dublinlive.ie, irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
- investigationInvestigations are ongoing. (dublinlive.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe operation was an intelligence-led investigation into the sale and supply of drugs (irishtimes.com)
- investigationTwo men aged in their 50s and 60s were arrested and detained under section two of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking Act) 1996 (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe operation was carried out by the Dublin Crime Response Team (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationInvestigations remain ongoing. (garda.ie)
- investigationThe seizure resulted from an operation by the Dublin Crime Response Team. (rte.ie)
- investigationA phone was seized which gardaí believe was used to organise drug distribution with an encryption device. (rte.ie)
- investigationFurther suspected cocaine found in Nowosade's car has yet to be tested. (rte.ie)
- investigationGardaí from the Dublin Crime Response Team intercepted the two men. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationInvestigators are preparing a file for the DPP and anticipate upgrading charges to section 15A of the Misuse of Drugs Act. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeRoyle was charged with three counts of possession of drugs for sale or supply and three counts of possession of drugs. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeNowosad was charged with two counts of possession of drugs for sale or supply and two counts of possession. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeThe two men have been charged. (garda.ie)
- chargeTwo men appeared in court charged over a €2.2 million drug seizure. (rte.ie)
- chargeRoyle is charged with six counts of possession and sale or supply of drugs. (rte.ie)
- chargeNowosade is charged with four counts, two of drug possession and two of possession with intent to sell or supply. (rte.ie)
- courtRoyle appeared before Judge Stephanie Coggins at Dublin District Court on Monday. (thejournal.ie)
- courtNowosad appeared separately before Judge Mark O'Connell. (thejournal.ie)
- courtMs Justice Coggins remanded Royle in custody at Cloverhill Prison with consent to bail. (thejournal.ie)
- courtRoyle's bail conditions included a €10,000 bond with €5,000 cash lodgement and a €5,000 independent surety, and he was to be produced again on Friday. (thejournal.ie)
- courtNowosad was remanded in custody at Cloverhill until Friday with consent to bail on strict conditions. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThey are scheduled to appear before Dublin District Court (Court 4) at the Criminal Courts of Justice. (garda.ie)
- courtRoyle was granted bail on his own bond of €10,000 with €5,000 deposited in cash. (rte.ie)
- courtRoyle was remanded in custody with consent to bail because he could not take up bail that day. (rte.ie)
- courtNowosade was remanded in custody with consent to bail, with a lodgement of €5,000 of his own cash and an independent surety. (rte.ie)
- courtBoth men are due to appear before Cloverhill District Court on Friday. (rte.ie)
- courtBail was set at €5,000 for each man, with a further €5,000 in independent sureties. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe pair will appear again at Cloverhill District Court on Friday. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe garda put the value of the cocaine at €1.8 million. (thejournal.ie)
- otherAn encrypted Graphene phone was seized, which gardaí believe was used to distribute drugs. (thejournal.ie)
- otherRoyle's counsel said his client had no recollection of some phrases quoted in court and that video interviews were not available. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe defence said the value of the drugs may come down once they have all been tested. (thejournal.ie)
- otherNowosad had lived in Ireland for 20 years, had a family there and no longer had ties to Poland. (irishtimes.com)
- otherNeither man had prior convictions. (irishtimes.com)
- otherRoyle is an IT technician and a father of two. (irishtimes.com)
- otherNowosad is unemployed and a father of one. (irishtimes.com)
- otherRoyle drove a blue 2026-registered Skoda Fabia. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 31 Aug2026Pair charged over €1.9m cocaine ‘handover’ in Dublin car park
Details of the handover at Brandon Square, Royle's admissions as a drug courier, the full breakdown of the €2.2 million seizure, Nowosad's Polish background and 20 years in Ireland, and bail conditions including passport surrender and three-day-a-week sign-on.
accused, David Royle, 62, male, named, irish (judged from name)David Royleaccused, Tomasz Nowosad, 53, male, Polish, named, non-irishTomasz Nowosad - 31 Aug2026Two men charged in connection with €2.2m drug seizure
First report of the case. Names the two accused, the charges, the total seizure value and the bail and remand decisions.
accused, David Royle, 62, male, named, irish (judged from name)David Royleaccused, Thomaz Nowosade, 53, male, Polish, named, non-irishThomaz Nowosade - 30 Aug202630/08/2026 Court Appearances - DCRT Seizure of €2.3 Million Worth of Controlled Drugs, 2 Arrests, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 –28th August 2026
Confirms the two men have been charged and provides their court appearance details: Dublin District Court (Court 4) at the Criminal Courts of Justice at 10:30 a.m. on 31 August 2026. States the total seizure value as approximately €2.3 million including cocaine, cannabis, and MDMA.
suspect, 50s, malesuspect, 60s, male - 29 Aug2026Gardai seize €2.3m worth of 'cocaine, cannabis & MDMA' following operation
Provides a full breakdown of the seizure (18 kg cocaine at €1.8m, 4 kg cocaine at €400k, 5,000 MDMA tablets at €50k, 4 kg cannabis at €56k), confirms the operation was run by the Dublin Crime Response Team, and notes the drugs are being sent to FSI for analysis.
suspect, 50s, malesuspect, 60s, male - 29 Aug2026Men arrested after €2.3m worth of drugs seized in Dublin operation
Adds details on the full seizure including 4 kg additional cocaine from a vehicle at the scene, 5,000 MDMA tablets and 4 kg cannabis from follow-up searches, the combined value of €2.3 million, the role of the Dublin Crime Response Team, and that the drugs were forwarded to Forensic Science Ireland for analysis.
suspect, 50s, malesuspect, 60s, male - 29 Aug2026Two arrests after major €2.3m drugs haul in west Dublin
Provides full breakdown of the seizure (18 kg + 4 kg cocaine, 5,000 MDMA tablets, 4 kg cannabis totalling €2,306,000), identifies the unit as DCRT, and confirms the two suspects are aged in their 50s and 60s, detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996.
suspect, 50s, malesuspect, 60s, male - 29 Aug2026Two arrested after €2.3 million worth of drugs seized
Reports the arrest of two men aged in their 50s and 60s and the total drugs value of €2.3 million. The men are not named, and the article does not give the seizure date or any charge.
suspect, 50s, malesuspect, 60s, male - 1 Aug2026Men appear in court over multimillion-euro drug seizures
Court appearances on Monday 31 August. Adds the garda evidence on the seizure and the cocaine value, Royle's alleged admissions and the defence response, the Polish interpreter, a further two kilograms of cocaine found in Nowosad's vehicle, the seized encrypted phone, and the bail conditions and remand dates.
accused, David Royle, 62, male, named, irish (judged from name)David Royleaccused, Tomaz Nowosad, 53, male, Polish, named, non-irishTomaz Nowosad