Gardai charge 46 suspected heroin dealers

The number of people arrested and expected to appear in court this week on drugs-related charges as part of the Garda's "Operation…

The number of people arrested and expected to appear in court this week on drugs-related charges as part of the Garda's "Operation Clean Streets" has risen to 46.

The arrests followed the identification of almost 100 people believed to be heroin dealers from a number of networks in the Dublin area.

The latest series of arrests began on Tuesday morning as gardaí searched homes and other premises across Dublin city. Most of those arrested were males in their twenties although several women were also questioned.

Most of those arrested have been charged under Section 15 of the Drug Trafficking Act and were released or have been before the courts.

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This is the sixth phase of an operation co-ordinated by the Garda National Drug Unit, the first of which began in 1997. More than 600 people have been charged with drug-elated offences under the operation.

In the latest phase, undercover gardaí identified 96 people by gathering evidence on the street, including the sale of heroin to undercover officers. Gardaí say they have evidence of drug-dealing by all 96 suspects.

David Labanyi

David Labanyi

David Labanyi is the Head of Audience with The Irish Times