GARDAÍ in Donegal seized a number of electronic devices as part of searches relating to organised illegal drug criminality.
Working as part of a Joint Agency Task Force, alongside the PSNI’s Paramilitary Crime Task Force, Gardaí in Donegal carried out several searches of properties in the Kerrykeel and Buncrana areas on Wednesday.
Gardaí in Dublin also searched property at Finglas.
The search operations involved Garda Detective and Drug Units, Special Detective Unit, the Garda Armed Support Unit and the Garda Dog Unit.
During these searches a number of electronic devices were seized, it has been confirmed.
Officers from the Paramilitary Crime Task Force (PCTF) have arrested 8 men and 1 woman as part of a cross border investigation targeting the organised illegal drug criminality linked to the INLA in Derry.
The suspects, aged between 27 and 42, were arrested in the Derry and Limavady areas yesterday and today. The female has been released on street bail and all 8 men remain in custody at this time.
During the two day operation Officers from the PCTF, supported by colleagues from Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Operational Support Department and local District Policing conducted EIGHT searches and seized a significant quantity of cannabis, suspected Class A controlled drugs, other drugs paraphernalia and a substantial quantity of cash in Euros.
Garda Superintendent Goretti Sheridan said: “This operation has been ongoing since the summer of 2020 where An Garda Síochána and the PSNI have been liaising and gathering intelligence regarding the unlawful activities of the INLA, an unlawful organisation, and their involvement in the sale and supply of drugs in the North Western part of the Country on both sides of the border.
Garda Superintendent Goretti Sheridan. Pic by Northwest Newspix.
“This is a borderless crime and is imperative we in An Garda Síochána work closely with our colleagues in the PSNI in order to combat the sale and supply of controlled drugs which are devastating our communicates. The INLA like other gangs involved in drug dealing are making huge profits and benefitting from this legal activity.
“With our colleagues in the Police Service of Northern Ireland we are committed to working together to ensure we keep everyone safe on both sides of the border.
“Our search operation yesterday forms part of our continued efforts to disrupt the movements and activities of organised crime groups and works to reduce and prevent criminal activity in border areas.
“We will continue to work together with our colleagues in the Police Service of Northern Ireland to frustrate and dismantle these organised crime groups. Criminals do not recognise borders and through the work of the Joint Agency Task Force we are able to do everything we can to ensure those involved in this type of organised and cross jurisdictional crime are dismantled and dealt with through the criminal justice system”.
Detective Chief Superintendent John McVea, Head of Criminal Investigation Branch added: “The INLA in the North West are involved in all forms of criminality including the organised illegal supply of controlled drugs.
“This operation looks to take action against those involved in this illegal drugs supply. These criminals don’t care about the wider impact their drug dealing will have on the wider community and public services.”
Tags:
