Man (22) arrested in €1.4m Dublin Port cocaine bust released without charge

A file will now be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The bust was made as part of ongoing investigations targeting those suspected of involvement in transnational organised crime.

It was conducted as part of a joint intelligence-led operation by personnel from the Revenue Customs Service, the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, and the Wicklow/Wexford Garda Divisions.

Officers stopped a vehicle at Dublin Port and searched a refrigerated unit. The drugs were found concealed inside a shipment of watermelons.

Laddie the Customs Dog located 20kgs of cocaine with an estimated value of €1.4 million concealed within the unit, which was later seized and sent for analysis.

Gardai arrested a 22-year-old man in relation to drug trafficking offences.

He was detained under Section 2 of The Criminal Justice (Drugs Trafficking) Act 1996 at Blanchardstown Garda Station.

A garda spokesperson said: “The man arrested (aged 20s) on Saturday 22nd January 2022 as part of the ongoing investigation targeting persons suspected of involvement in transnational organised crime, which resulted in the recovery of 20kgs of cocaine (estimated value of €1.4million), has been released without charge.

“A file will be prepared for the DPP.”