Issue Date: 09/07/2026
As a result of ongoing investigations targeting organised criminal activity under Operation Tara, a coordinated joint operation was put in targeting a number of identified business premises nationwide involved in the sale of vapes.
The operation involved personnel attached to the Garda National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB), Customs Revenue Service and Drug Units based in the Longford, Mayo, Roscommon, Kildare and Drogheda.
As part of this operation, searches were conducted on 2nd July and 8th July 2026 at five business premises and two residential premises in Castlebar, Longford, Drogheda and Carlow, which resulted in the seizure of substantial quantities of cannabis-infused jellies, cannabis oil-infused vapes and ‘reefer’ cigarettes containing HHC and THC, with an estimated value in excess of €2 million.
As part of this investigation, two men (aged in their 30s) were arrested in Mayo and Longford and are being detained under Section 2 of Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996, at Garda stations in the Midlands.
The seized substances will be forwarded to Forensic Science Ireland for analysis.
Investigations are ongoing.
