Gardaí have seized cocaine with an estimated street value of 35 million euro.
It's Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau worked on an investigation alongside authorities in the Netherlands.
They believed gangs were attempting to move up to half a tonne of cocaine into Ireland, potentially from South America.
As part of that investigation, Gardaí seized two containers that arrived into Rotterdam port two weeks ago.
Investigators then loaded them onto ships and transported them to Ireland, with the help of the Navy and Customs.
Armed escorts arrived to help bring the containers to shore at Dublin Port.
The Garda Síochána, through the GNDOCB is leading in an investigation involving a significant international dimension, relating to suspected importation of cocaine into Europe and Ireland, in particular, from South America.
Read more: https://t.co/45tz81a80R pic.twitter.com/1bOAI9RapD— Garda Info (@gardainfo) July 14, 2021
Scientists Will Examine The Bags Further
The containers had 2,000 bags of charcoal inside.
However, examinations from Garda dogs and Revenue's mobile X-Ray scanner, investigators discovered so-called 'anomalies.'
Then, Gardaí requested help from Forensic Science Ireland, to confirm whether or not there was cocaine in the bags.
Officers say it'll take days for the Forensic Scientists to check the whole consignment.
However, they say the initial examinations seem to confirm the suspicion that there's cocaine on board.
Gardaí also anticipate that they'll be arresting a number of suspects in the near future.
Assistant Commissioner John O’Driscoll, from the Organised and Serious Crime within the Garda Síochána says:
"This is a significant development in the Garda Síochána’s effort to disrupt and dismantle organised crime groups suspected to be involved in the importation of cocaine and other drugs into Ireland."
"This operation, in which the Garda Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau is taking a lead role, has a significant international dimension and again emphasises the importance of cooperation within the law enforcement community within Europe and further afield”.
