Gardaí have arrested 10 people and seized €17,200 of suspected cannabis and €17,300 cash as part on an Operation Thor Day of Action in the Cork West Garda Division on Tuesday, 10th December 2019.
Arrests were made in relation to recent incidents of assault, theft, possession of drugs, possession of an offensive weapon and on foot of a bench warrant.
Of the 10 arrested:
- 4 charged to appear at a later date
- 2 released without charge, file to the DPP
- 1 brought before the courts on foot of a bench warrant
- 1 charged and brought before the courts
- 1 to be dealt with under juvenile diversion scheme
- 1 adult caution
Gardaí from the Divisional Drugs Unit in West Cork, assisted by the Southern Region Dog Unit, carried out a search at a house in Durrus and discovered a grow house containing a total of €12,400 worth of suspected cannabis herb and plants. €6,800 of cannabis herb and €5,600 of cannabis plants were seized and will now be sent for analysis.
In a second unrelated search, Gardaí seized €4,900 of suspected cannabis and €17,200 in cash at a house in the Ballylickey area of Bantry.
No arrests were made in relation to both drug seizures but Gardaí are following a definite line of enquiry.
Multi-agency Checkpoints:
Two multi-agency checkpoints were conducted on the N71, Toureen Ballinhassig and the R586-Colomane, Bantry. Gardaí from Bandon District Regular Units, Roads Policing Unit Detective Unit, Customs and Revenue, Department of Social Protection Officers, Cork County Council-Environmental Protection Unit – Enforcement Officers and Road Safety Authority Members.
During the checkpoints only one road traffic offence was detected thanks to an extremely high compliance rate from motorists. Social welfare detected 3 people working while claiming welfare allowance which will be further investigated. 19 vehicles were dipped for green diesel by Customs and Revenue with no detections.
Community Engagement:
As part of Operation Soteria, a meeting between Gardaí and the vintners in Clonakilty was held to collaboratively open new methods of communication between both parties with the aim of reducing public order, assaults and alcohol and drug abuse.
A crime prevention stand was setup in a shopping centre in Bantry where leaflets for car security were handed out in light of recent thefts.
