116kg of cocaine discovered at property in largest recent haul in county
A man in his 30s has been arrested following the discovery of cocaine worth €8.1 million at a house in County Laois in one of the largest drug seizures in the area.
The Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau uncovered 116kg of cocaine during yesterday’s operation at the property. The suspect remains in custody as investigations continue.
Detective Chief Superintendent Seamus Boland said operations targeting organized crime would continue following the arrests. “Measures would continue to be taken to prevent drugs from entering Ireland and to keep the country safe,” he stated.
The substantial seizure represents a significant blow to organized crime networks operating in the midlands region. Cocaine trafficking remains a priority target for Irish law enforcement, with the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau coordinating efforts to disrupt supply chains and dismantle criminal organizations.
The 116kg haul would typically be destined for distribution across multiple counties, with street-level sales potentially generating significantly higher returns for criminal networks than the estimated wholesale value.
Gardaí have not disclosed further details about the investigation, including whether additional arrests are anticipated or if the seizure is connected to ongoing operations targeting specific criminal organizations.
The arrested man can be held for questioning for up to seven days under drug trafficking legislation. Files will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions upon completion of the investigation.