Two men held after €680,000 of drugs are seized

TWO MEN were being questioned last night in connection with the discovery of drugs and explosive devices in separate Garda operations…

TWO MEN were being questioned last night in connection with the discovery of drugs and explosive devices in separate Garda operations in north Dublin.

One of the arrested men was being held at Coolock Garda station after members of the Garda National Drug Unit found cocaine in a search at the Northern Cross apartment complex on Malahide Road, Coolock, Dublin.

Cocaine valued at some €250,000 was found during the search, which took place at around 9pm on Tuesday.

The man being held last night was arrested at the scene under Section 2 of the Drug Trafficking Act.

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The 36-year-old suspect had been under surveillance for some time as part of a wider investigation into the activities of a north Dublin drugs gang.

In an unrelated operation earlier on Tuesday evening, gardaí from Finglas Garda station, along with members of the Organised Crime Unit, arrested a man after finding drugs and explosive devices during a search.

The Army's bomb disposal team was called in after a grenade and pipe bomb were found during a search of a house at Barry Drive, Finglas, at about 6pm.

Garda sources said both devices were viable.

The devices were examined at the scene and made safe before being taken away for technical analysis.

The pipe bomb is believed to be one of the most professionally constructed devices found in Dublin in recent years.

During the course of the house search, gardaí also found cannabis resin valued at about €350,000 and cocaine valued at €80,000.

A man who was in the house when gardaí moved in was arrested.

He is believed to have been storing the drugs and devices for other criminal elements from the Finglas area.

The suspect was taken to Finglas Garda station where he was still being questioned last night under Section 2 of the Drug Trafficking Act.

Conor Lally

Conor Lally

Conor Lally is Security and Crime Editor of The Irish Times