Gardaí believe a major cocaine seizure at Dublin Port will be worth up to €35m.

The cocaine was found hidden in bags of charcoal in two shipping containers that arrived in Dublin from Rotterdam.

Forensic Science Ireland is currently examining the haul; however, Gardaí believe it contains up to half a tonne of cocaine.

If confirmed, the estimated street value of €35m would make it one of the largest cocaine seizures in Irish history.

Bags of charcoal believed to contain cocaine at Dublin Port. Image: An Garda SíochánaGardaí believe the drugs were being smuggled into Ireland from South America by an organised crime gang.

The Garda Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau has been leading the investigation, which also involves the Dutch police, Revenue and the Irish Defence Forces.

The shipping containers arrived into Rotterdam a number of weeks ago and were detained by Dutch police.

They were then handed over to Gardaí who transported them back to Dublin with the help of the Irish Naval Service.

Cocaine

They were brought ashore under armed escort and found to contain 2,000 bags of charcoal.

Gardaí said an initial examination carried out by Forensic Science Ireland has “would tend to confirm the suspicion held by the Garda Síochána that the two shipping containers may have been used in an attempt to transport up to half of a tonne of cocaine into Ireland.”

It will take a number of days for FSI to complete its examination but Gardaí believe the seizure will be worth up to €35m.

Organised crime

Assistant Commissioner John O’Driscoll said: “This is a significant development in An Garda Síochána’s effort to disrupt and dismantle organised crime groups suspected to be involved in the importation of cocaine and other drugs into Ireland.”

“This operation, in which the Garda Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau is taking a lead role, has a significant international dimension and again emphasises the importance of cooperation within the law enforcement community within Europe and further afield.”

Gardaí said they expect to arrest ‘a number of suspects in the near future.’