Friday 6 November 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. 31519Drug offence (possession of cannabis) · Co. Laois · 5 Nov 2026

Woman charged with cannabis possession in Laois

A woman was arrested after Gardaí found approximately 20kg of cannabis with an estimated value of €280,000 in a car stopped on the M7 motorway at Clondouglas, Portlaoise, Laois, at around 8.15pm on Wednesday, November 4, 2026. The search was conducted under Section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977/84 by the Laois Drugs Unit and Laois Roads Policing Unit. The woman, described as being in her early 40s in one report and in her 20s in another, was detained under the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996 and charged under Section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act. She appeared before Portlaoise District Court on Thursday, November 5, 2026, and the case was adjourned to February 22, 2027.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrested5 Nov
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court6 Nov
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Approximately 20kg of cannabis with an estimated value of €280,000 was found in a car.
Where
The car was stopped on the M7 motorway at Clondouglas, Portlaoise, Laois, between the toll plaza and Junction 18.
When
The car was stopped at around 8.15pm on Wednesday, November 4, 2026.
Investigation
  • The search was conducted under Section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977/84 by the Laois Drugs Unit and Laois Roads Policing Unit.
  • The woman was detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996 and brought to Abbeyleix Garda Station.
Charges
She was charged with an offence under Section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977/84.
In court
  • She appeared before Portlaoise District Court on Thursday, November 5, 2026.
  • The case was adjourned to February 22, 2027.
Other details
The suspect is a woman described as being in her early 40s in one report and in her 20s in another.
17 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA woman was arrested following the discovery of over a quarter of a million euro worth of drugs in Laois on Wednesday. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • what20 kilograms of suspected cannabis believed to be worth around €280,000 was discovered during the search. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatThe woman was taken to Abbeyleix Garda Station for questioning. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatGardaí discovered approximately 20kg of cannabis inside the vehicle. (kildarenow.com)
  • whatThe cannabis had an estimated value of €280,000. (kildarenow.com)
  • whereThe car was stopped on the M7 motorway between the toll plaza and Junction 18 in Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe vehicle was stopped and searched at Clondouglas, Portlaoise. (kildarenow.com)
  • whenThe car was stopped at around 8.15pm on Wednesday evening. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe seizure took place on Wednesday, November 4. (kildarenow.com)
  • investigationThe search of the car was conducted under the drugs act. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationThe search was conducted under Section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977/84. (kildarenow.com)
  • investigationThe female driver was arrested and brought to Abbeyleix Garda Station. (kildarenow.com)
  • investigationShe was detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996. (kildarenow.com)
  • chargeShe was charged with an offence under Section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977/84. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtShe appeared before Portlaoise District Court on Thursday, November 5. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtThe case is due to return before the courts on February 22, 2027. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherGardaí confirmed no further comment as the matter is before the courts. (kildarenow.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 6 Nov2026
    In courtkildarenow.com, its first report
    Woman on M7 charged with having €280k of cannabis in car

    Reports the court appearance at Portlaoise District Court on 5 November 2026, the specific charge under Section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977/84, detention under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996, and adjournment to 22 February 2027.

    suspect, 20s, female
  2. 5 Nov2026
    Arrestedleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Woman arrested as drugs worth over €250,000 seized in Laois

    Initial report of the arrest and seizure of 20kg of suspected cannabis on the M7 at Portlaoise.

    suspect, early 40s, female