Two arrests in Ireland during 'day of action' targeting European crime gang

A file is to be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions after two men were arrested in the south of the country as part of an EU-wide investigation targeting the activities of an organised criminal group.

The gang, which is suspected to have operations in several countries, is involved in the sale and supply of controlled drugs and associated money laundering offences.

Gardai have confirmed that searches and arrests were made in this jurisdiction during a day of action which took place last month. The operation also involved law enforcement authorities from Lithuania and the United Kingdom.

"Gardaí from the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, supported by the Garda National Dog Unit, carried out planned searches at three locations in Ireland in January 2024," confirmed a spokesperson for An Garda Siochana.

During the operation €34,700 in cash, suspected controlled drugs worth an estimated €5,000, electronic devices and financial documents were seized.

"Two persons were arrested on suspicion of having committed offences contrary to the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010. They were detained under the provisions of Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007 and questioned at a garda station in the south of the country," confirmed a garda spokesperson.

Both were subsequently released and a file is being prepared for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

In a separate statement, the Lithuanian Criminal Police Bureau, said a total of eight searches were conducted in Lithuania, Ireland the the UK.

"During the searches, €64,700 in cash, different types of drugs and three cars with a total value of over €200,000 were found and seized," it read.

"The large-scale investigation carried out is one of the examples of successful and close inter-institutional and international cooperation aimed at preventing and neutralising dangerous organized criminal groups operating in Lithuania and foreign countries," added the spokesperson.