80 Arrested In Dublin Drug Operation

Some 80 arrests have been made in the past 48 hours in a mass drug operation in Dublin.

Detectives from the Garda National Drugs Unit working closely with local Garda units from the greater Dublin area searched over 100 premises in the past 48 hours and arrested 80 people suspected of involvement in the sale and supply of Heroin and Cocaine.

The arrest and raids were the culmination of a Garda operation that has been ongoing for the past five months and which Gardaí claim has dismantled two significant drug distribution networks operating in the Dublin city centre.

Speaking at Garda Headquarters today the Garda Commissioner Mr Fachtna Murphy acknowledged the work of officers involved in the operation.

"An Garda Síochána is committed to tackling the supply of drugs at all levels in keeping with our commitment to the National Drug Strategy and striving for safer streets in our communities," he said.

"The Garda National Drugs Unit working with local Garda drug units will ensure a co-ordinated and effective approach to protecting our communities, individuals and their families from the harm, pain and destruction caused by illicit drug use.

"We will continue to work with other agencies and communities in tackling the drug problem in this country," he said.

The operation involved personnel from the Garda National Drugs Unit, Pearse Street, Kilmainham and Store Street Garda Stations and district drug units throughout the Dublin Metropolitan Region.

To date 72 men and 8 women have been charged with offences relating to the supply of serious controlled drugs, principally Heroin and Cocaine.

The findings of the operation will be used to gather evidence against significant drug dealers in local communities.

(DW/BMcc)