Customs Seize €5m of Cocaine in Fermoy
Officers from Revenue's Customs Service and Gardaí today (13/10/11) seized a substantial quantity of high quality cocaine with a potential street value in excess of €5 million, subject to analysis.
The seizure is a result of a joint operation between Customs and the Garda National Drugs Unit, as well as cooperation with Europol, Interpol and Dutch Law Enforcement Agencies who carried out a strategic intelligence led investigation into an international drug smuggling gang.
The cocaine was concealed in a consignment that arrived at Cork Port from Rotterdam. The goods were then removed to a premises in Bartlemy, Fermoy where the seizure took place.
A 56 year German National and a 45 year old Irish National were arrested at the industrial premises in Bartlemy, Fermoy. During follow up searches two Irish Nationals aged 42 and 65 were arrested in Dublin and a 46 year old Hungarian National was arrested in Cork. All five males are currently being detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996 at Cobh, Crumlin, Terenure and Midleton Garda Stations.
The goods have now been removed to a secure location where an in depth search of the consignment will be undertaken.
Investigations are continuing.
[Ends 13/10/11]