A joint operation led by the Garda Drugs Unit seizes the biggest consignment of drugs in Ireland.
Around fifteen tonnes of cannabis resin was discovered in a forty foot trailer of an articulated truck near Urlingford. The haul is under armed guard pending expert investigation and transportation to Garda headquarters in Dublin.
The discovery was the result of a lengthy investigation by the Gardaí, customs officials and the naval service. A ship had been under surveillance off the south west coast of Ireland for several weeks. The surveillance was carried out by detectives from the Garda Drugs Unit with the assistance of the navy on board the patrol vessel, the LÉ Deirdre. The investigation culminated in the interception of the trailer carrying the drugs near Urlingford. The trailer had been parked at the side of the road for several hours. The Gardaí kept it under observation before moving in to seize the drugs.
Chief Superintendent Liam Harris believes there is in the region of fifteen tonnes of cannabis resin and estimates the value to be in the region of £150 million.
The cannabis, which was in bales and wrapped in plastic, is thought to have originated in Morocco.
Gardaí believe that a number of big drug dealers may have worked together to bring the consignment into the country. Earlier today, Gardaí carried out a number of searches on the north side of Dublin and four people were arrested. They also seized around a quarter of a million pounds in sterling, which they believe was drugs related.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 8 November 1995. The reporter is Tom McCaughren.
