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Gardaí impound boat possibly linked to Donegal drug haul

Gardaí investigating the discovery of bails of cocaine off the Donegal coast have impounded a b...
Faye Curran
Faye Curran

10.12 21 Jul 2023


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Gardaí impound boat possibly l...

Gardaí impound boat possibly linked to Donegal drug haul

Faye Curran
Faye Curran

10.12 21 Jul 2023


Share this article


Gardaí investigating the discovery of bails of cocaine off the Donegal coast have impounded a boat at a local pier.

That's according to Donegal Daily Editor Stephen Maguire, who was speaking to Newstalk Breakfast about the ongoing drug haul found off the Donegal Coast.

The first package was found at around 8:30am on Wednesday morning when officers were called to Ballyhiernan Beach in Fanad.

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Half an hour later, investigators were informed of another, similar package at Tramore Beach in Dunfanaghy.

The Garda Press Office has rejected claims that a third package was discovered yesterday.

The two packages are believed to contain cocaine – weighing approximately 60kg with an estimated street value in excess of €4 million.

Speaking to presenter Jonathan Healy, Mr Maguire said Gardaí and Customs have impounded a boat at Magheraroarty Pier, Donegal which may be linked to the drug haul.

For operational reasons, Gardaí have refused to comment on whether the boat is possibly linked to the drugs investigation.

"There definitely is Garda activity and the pier has been blocked off," Mr Maguire said.

"None of this has been confirmed yet, but the information is fairly strong that the boat that has been impounded was sold in recent weeks to another group."

Magheraroarty Pier with chapel near Gortahork, County Donegal Magheraroarty Pier with chapel near Gortahork, County Donegal (Photo by Image Professionals GmbH / Alamy Stock Photo)

The impounded boat has Northern Ireland registered numbers and lettering on it, according to Mr Maguire.

"We do anticipate there will be some kind of cross-border connection with the PSNI," he said.

"Searches are ongoing and we anticipate they will be ongoing again this morning."

One of the packages found on a beach in Co Donegal One of the packages found on a beach in Co Donegal. Picture by: An Garda Síochána

The Garda Press Office has confirmed that Gardaí in Milford, the Garda Air Support Unit, the Garda Water Unit and Revenue's Maritime Unit continue to carry out joint searches along the North Donegal/ Fanad Head Coastline.

Any person with any information in relation to the discovery of these packages is asked to contact investigating Gardaí.

An Garda Síochána in Milford continues to appeal to landowners in the Fanad Head area with coastal land and/ or any persons using the North Donegal Coastline over the coming days to be conscious of the packages that have been recovered.

Any person who sees any similar package or any other marine debris that attracts their attention are requested to not interfere with the packages and to contact An Garda Síochána at Milford Garda Station on 074 9153060, their local Garda station or the Garda Confidential line 1800 666 111.

You can listen back here:

 Main image shows aerial view of Ballyness Bay and Magheraroarty in County Donegal.

 

 


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