As part of Operation Nitrogen, an operation by the Garda National Drugs Unit (GNDU) targeting the cultivation of cannabis, three locations were identified and searched today, the 21st October 2013.
1. Unit 6B, Clash Industrial Estate, Tralee, Co. Kerry
2. House at Falty, Oldtown, Athlone, Co Roscommon.
3. House and sheds at Carrigaloon, Virginia, Co Cavan.
With the assistance of local units all three locations were searched simultaneously.
The results of the searches are as follows –
Unit 6B, Clash Industrial Estate, Tralee, Co. Kerry
A large cannabis cultivation operation was located inside this large industrial Unit. Two Vietnamese males were arrested inside the premises. Approximately 1,800 cannabis plants were recovered. One male was arrested and a second received injuries when he jumped from the roof of the building in an attempt to escape. He is currently in Tralee General Hospital. Both are detained under Section 2 Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996. The value of the drugs seized are (subject to analysis) €1.3 million.
House at Falty, Oldtown, Athlone, Co Roscommon.
This location was searched by members of Roscommon/Longford Drug Unit with the assistance of members of GNDU. This location is a house that has been converted for use as a cannabis growing facility. There was one Chinese male in his late 20's was arrested. He is detained at Roscommon Garda Station under Section 2 Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996. The total value of the drugs seized at this location (subject to analysis) was €240,000
House and sheds at Carrigaloon, Virginia, Co Cavan.
This premises was searched by the local Gardaí in Virginia, Co Cavan with assistance from GNDU. A large cannabis cultivation operation was discovered inside this unit. 700 cannabis plants were recovered and one Chinese male in his 50's was arrested. He was arrested and detained at Bailieboro Garda Station under Section 2 Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996. The value of the drugs seized at this location was (subject to analysis) €560,000
The total value of the cannabis plants seized over the course of the 3 searches is approximately €2.1 million. There was 3 suspects arrested and are currently being detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996 in Tralee, Roscommon and Bailieboro Garda Stations respectively. An additional suspect is currently receiving medical attention at Tralee General Hospital.
Photographs are available on request from the Garda Press Office at pressoffice@garda.ie.
