An Garda Síochána says it has seized over €1.6million of controlled drugs and “disrupted sophisticated concealments” after searches were carried out in Blessington and residential properties in Tallaght and Ashbourne over two days.
A spokesperson for the force says that, “As part of ongoing investigations, An Garda Síochána conducted an operation targeting drug trafficking, money laundering and associated criminality by Organised Criminal Groups (OCGs) on Tuesday, 3rd March and Wednesday, 4th March 2026.”
The operation was coordinated by DMR (Dublin Metropolitan Region) South Crime and led by the Terenure Drugs Unit, with support from DMR South Serious Crime, Sundrive Road and Tallaght Drugs Units, Community Engagement Units, Divisional Roads Policing Unit, ASU DMR and Eastern Region, the Stolen Motor Vehicle Investigation Unit (SMVIU) and NBCI.
Over the course of the two-day operation, Gardaí searched 27 properties, including lands and buildings in Blessington and residential properties in Tallaght and Ashbourne.
Gardaí say that during the search of a property in Blessington, officers “discovered a suspected ‘cocaine press’, electronic remote control devices and linear actuators, believed to be used in constructing concealed ‘hides’ in vehicles for the transportation of significant quantities of drugs. Two vans were seized with built-in ‘hides’.”
A subsequent search of a van, seized during a search at a property in Tallaght, uncovered two wheel balancing machines equipped with remote-operated hydraulic covers. These machines were disguised as ‘hides’ with the capacity to transport significant quantities of drugs.
On the evening of Wednesday, 4th March, a search under warrant at a residential property in Ashbourne resulted in the seizure of cocaine worth €1,190,000, cannabis herb worth €280,000 and €12,000 in cash.
Simultaneously, a related search of a residence in the Tallaght area led to the seizure of cocaine worth €56,700 and a vacuum pack containing €50,000 in cash.
In the course of the operation to date, Gardaí have seized (subject to forensic analysis):
• Cocaine valued at €1,330,000
• Diamorphine (heroin) valued at €63,000
• Cannabis valued at €288,500
• Cash: €89,500 (Euro and Sterling)
• Jewellery, including designer brand watches (to be authenticated and valued)
• Designer bags and clothing
• Three vehicles
No arrests have been made at this phase of the operation, with investigations ongoing, the spokesperson said.
