Gardai have seized €300,000 worth of drugs and arrested five people during a series of raids in Dublin on Friday.
The major operation included the discovery of a “sophisticated” cannabis jelly manufacturing operation, as well as a cannabis growhouse in the hot press of an apartment.
The huge day of action kicked off around 10.20am when a search was conducted under warrant at a residence in an apartment complex in the Finglas South area.
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Suspected cocaine worth an estimated €20,000 was seized, along with a sum of controlled tablets and cash. A woman aged in her 30s and a man aged in his 20s were arrested at the scene.
In a follow up-search at a residence in a separate apartment block at this complex, a suspected cannabis growhouse in a downstairs bedroom and in an upstairs hot press was discovered.
Gardai also discovered a sophisticated operation suspected of manufacturing cannabis jellies which included cooking equipment, jelly casts, food dyes and cannabis oils.
A large number of cannabis jellies which were pre-packed were seized.
Three men, two aged in their 30s and one aged in his 50s, were arrested at the scene.
Then, during searches of communal areas of this apartment complex, suspected cocaine and cannabis, along with a crypto-currency mining rig, were also seized.
In total, €300,000 of suspected drugs (€100,000 cocaine and €200,000 cannabis) was seized along with €14,000 in cash. All of the drugs seized will be sent to Forensic Science Ireland for analysis.
The woman aged in her 30s arrested has since been charged and bailed to appear at Blanchardstown District Court on Friday, 9th December, 2022, at 10:30am. The man in his 20s has since been released without charge and a file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions. The three other men arrested as part of this operation are still being detained.
Speaking about the searches and ongoing investigation, Chief Superintendent Finbarr Murphy of Blanchardstown Garda Station said: "I welcome the results of these searches led by local Gardaí in the Finglas area, supported by Regional and National Units, working hard to keep the citizens of Finglas and the wider Dublin Region safe.
“It is of serious concern that what appears to be a cannabis jelly manufacturing operation has been discovered and now dismantled. We have previously seen a number of children hospitalized, seriously ill, as a result of consuming cannabis jelly products.
“The production of these products is an insidious, clear attempt by organized crime groups to normalise these illegal activities. These products designed to look like normal edible jellies are dangerous, not just to children but to any person consuming them. An Garda Síochána will continue to work with all relevant agencies to make every effort to prevent such products from circulating in our communities. Investigations are ongoing.”
The operation was conducted as part of Operation Tara, which aims to disrupt criminal activity and the sale and supply of drugs.
It was carried out by the District Detective Unit at Finglas Garda Station and assisted by the Finglas Divisional Drugs Unit. The Finglas Drug Unit, the Finglas Unit D Core Unit, Finglas Community Policing, the DMR West Search Team, the Armed Support Unit and the Garda Dog Unit also assisted with this operation.
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