Cocaine worth €5m seized in Cork

Customs officers and gardaí in Co Cork have seized cocaine which they believe has a potential street value of €5 million.

Customs officers and gardaí in Co Cork have seized cocaine which they believe has a potential street value of €5 million.

What was described as "a substantial quantity" of high-quality cocaine was concealed in a consignment of goods that arrived at Cork port from Rotterdam today.

A Revenue statement said 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.

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, Revenue said.

READ MORE

All five men are currently being detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996, at Cobh, Crumlin, Terenure and Midleton Garda stations.

Revenue said the goods had been removed to a secure location where an in depth search of the consignment will be undertaken.

Today's seizure was 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.

Investigations are continuing, Revenue said.