Gardai arrest 30 in raids on heroin dealers

Thirty people have been arrested in Dublin following a major four-month Garda operation against the heroin trade in the west of the city, in which undercover gardaí repeatedly bought drugs from known dealers.

A team of 150 gardaí raided 40 premises in west Dublin on Monday and again yesterday. Cocaine, heroin, cannabis, a firearm and a quantity of cash were seized. Members of the Criminal Assets Bureau (Cab) who joined the raids, found a safe containing financial records in one house. These, along with the drugs seized, were being analysed last night.

The investigation, called Operation Marigold, was undertaken following a very significant increase in the quantity of heroin being seized by gardaí since the start of the year.

Already this year heroin worth an estimated €8 million has been seized. This compares with €6.4 million for all of last year and just over €5 million in both 2004 and 2003. The new investigation has targeted dealers in areas regarded as heroin black spots in Ballyfermot, Clondalkin and Ronanstown. Most of those arrested are middle- ranking dealers who supply drugs to those involved in street dealing.

Between them they account for a very large portion of the heroin trade in many west Dublin estates, according to well-placed Garda sources.

One of those arrested is a brother of a Ballyfermot-based man who is regarded as among the most significant drug dealers in the city. Gardaí said some of those under investigation had been charged with drug dealing in the past. Four women were among the 30 arrests.

The operation involved members of the local drugs units attached to Ballyfermot, Clondalkin and Ronanstown Garda stations. These were backed up by members of the Cab, the Garda Dog Unit and the Garda National Drug Unit, under Chief Supt Cormac Gordon and Supt Barry O'Brien.

The combined value of the drugs seized was estimated at €30,000. Around €4,000 in cash was also found along with drug paraphernalia, such as bags used to pack small deals. Gardaí also found an airgun, forged drivers' licences and a number of mobile phones. The call history on the telephones will now be analysed in an effort to determine if other drug dealers can be identified from the handsets.

The list of locations searched and people targeted was drawn up based on evidence gathered by undercover gardaí who have been buying quantities of heroin from dealers in west Dublin. Multiple purchases have been made from the same dealers since April. A total of around 100 purchases valued at up to €250 each were made.

Gardaí said that while the current phase of Operation Marigold had been concluded, the analysis of evidence gathered would take some time and would likely lead to other searches and arrests.

Those arrested were taken for questioning to Garda stations across west Dublin. They have all been questioned under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act. While the legislation allows for the detention of a suspect without charge for up to seven days, some of those arrested have already been charged and released on bail. Fifteen of the suspects appeared before Dublin District Court on Tuesday and 14 appeared before the courts yesterday.

All 29 were charged with possession of drugs for sale or supply. Some have been charged with multiple counts relating to the incidents when they sold drugs to undercover gardaí. A number were granted bail but others were still in custody last night.

One of those arrested was aged 16. His case will be handled under the juvenile liaison system.