Cocaine worth an estimated €1.4 million has been seized after being smuggled into Ireland through Dublin Port.
As part of an intelligence led operation, gardai and revenue officers stopped and searched a vehicle on Saturday.
Canine crime-stopper Laddie, a Revenue detector dog, located the 20kg of drugs which were hidden in a bizarre way.
The cocaine was inside a refrigeration unit on the vehicle - and appears to have been concealed within a watermelon delivery.
Photographs released by both Revenue and gardai show the drugs beside a box of watermelons.
A 22-year-old man was arrested and is being held at Blanchardstown Garda Station while investigations are ongoing.
Commenting on the operation, a Garda spokesperson said: “On Saturday, January 22, 2022 as part of ongoing investigations targeting persons suspected of involvement in transnational organised crime, a joint intelligence led operation was conducted involving personnel from the Revenue Customs Service, the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau and the Wicklow/Wexford Garda Divisions.
“The operation resulted in a vehicle being stopped in Dublin Port and in a subsequent search of a refrigerated unit, Laddie the Customs Dog located 20kgs of Cocaine concealed within the unit.
“The drugs with an estimated value of €1.4million (analysis pending) were subsequently seized.
“One male aged 22 years was arrested in relation to drug trafficking offences. He is currently being detained under Section 2 of The Criminal Justice (Drugs Trafficking) Act 1996 at Blanchardstown Garda Station. The investigation is ongoing.”
A Revenue spokesperson added: “This operation was part of Revenue’s ongoing joint investigations targeting transnational organised crime and the importation, sale and supply of illegal drugs.
“If businesses, or members of the public, have any information regarding drug smuggling, they can contact Revenue in confidence on Confidential Phone Number 1800 295 295.”
