Drug smuggling route broken and cocaine worth 6 million euros seized

The Gardaí (Irish police) have broken up a major international drug smuggling route, Irish broadcaster RTÉ reported.

The broadcaster said around 100 kilograms of cocaine worth over six million euros were seized in Wexford and five people were arrested.

The drugs were reportedly trafficked by an organised crime gang based in west Dublin.

The operation is believed to be led by the Garda Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau.

Irish police searched a farmhouse in County Wexford on Monday evening.

RTÉ crime correspondent Paul Reynolds told BBC News NI's Evening Extra that Gardaí had targeted an organised crime gang known as 'The Family' in west Dublin.

“They believe that several criminal gangs have joined forces to buy large quantities of drugs,” he said on the show.

“The Gardaí had been monitoring the gang and their movements, particularly the articulated lorries, in particular one which drove to this farmhouse in County Wexford where the Gardaí searched it.

“In addition, a van was present which the Gardaí believed was used to transfer cocaine from the lorry for further distribution,” he added.

Mr Reynolds also said that last night there were “a number of searches in Wexford and Dublin during which the Gardaí seized a significant amount of cash”.