logo
Irish search connected to major Spanish operation targetting drug smuggling gang

Irish search connected to major Spanish operation targetting drug smuggling gang

The Journal4 days ago
SPANISH POLICE HAVE said that gardaí in Ireland have arrested a man linked to a major organised crime drug smuggling group in Spain.
In a statement released on their website the National Police in Spain have said that the lengthy months long operation took place in locations in Madrid, Malaga, Seville and County Louth in Ireland.
An Garda Síochána has a liaison officer in Madrid who works closely with the Spanish law enforcement agencies.
The police said they arrested 13 people and gardaí detained one person in ireland – the plot was to smuggle the cannabis in animal feed.
Advertisement
The Spanish searches included €100,000 in cash, 630 marijuana plants, a firearm and three detonators. They also seized high-end vehicles and luxury watches. There was also a freezing of assets and property.
The Spanish said the operation began in January of this year when it was found that there was a criminal network comprised of British, Irish, and Spanish citizens.
The network used 'international freight forwarding companies' to ship pallets of animal feed containing marijuana buds. Investigators discovered that these shipments were regularly sent to the Britain and Ireland and were previously packaged in Spain.
The organised crime group, the Spanish police said, has been working since 2019 and in that time they shipped more than three tons of cannabis.
The Spanish authorities said that the Irish search took place at a house in County Louth where they arrested a person who is an alleged member of the gang.
Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article.
Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.
Learn More
Support The Journal
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Tougher consequences needed for teens involved in crime, says Tanaiste, as India Day postponed due to ‘spate of attacks'
Tougher consequences needed for teens involved in crime, says Tanaiste, as India Day postponed due to ‘spate of attacks'

Irish Independent

time2 hours ago

  • Irish Independent

Tougher consequences needed for teens involved in crime, says Tanaiste, as India Day postponed due to ‘spate of attacks'

Mr Harris was speaking after his meeting with representatives from the Indian community this afternoon, which took place after a spate of violent attacks on a number of those from the community. The current laws around racism and assault were clear and needed to be enforced, Mr Harris said. However, when asked if there could be tougher consequences of teenage gangs who carry out attacks like this, Mr Harris said he believed it could be possible and thought it was 'required'. 'I trust the Gardaí will [enforce current laws], will apply the appropriate level of attention and resource, because this is serious,' Mr Harris said. 'I think we have to have a legitimate question as to, are there further sanctions that are required, particularly when you're seeing attacks being carried out by, really children, children or young teenagers. 'Where's our system in relation to that? And do we need to look again at some of our laws?' he added. Mr Harris also criticised social media platforms and said more work needed to be done on mandatory age verification. He added that 'social media can't be the Wild West', that children were now being exposed to disinformation and that algorithms were deciding what children saw and how often they saw it. 'The democratically elected governments of a country [are] deciding a digital age, and the social media companies kind of saying, 'ah, sure, what about you?' I mean, that's not acceptable,' Mr Harris said. He added that social media was amplifying hatred and racism. 'Some of these phenomenons, like racism, hatred, they're not new. They existed long before social media. I'm not suggesting they're caused by social media,' Mr Harris said. 'But I'm absolutely suggesting and saying categorically without fear of doubt, is that social media is amplifying it and convincing young people that wrongful niche views of hatred are somehow or other, some sort of acceptable societal norm,' he added. Mr Harris described the recent spate of attacks on the Indian community as 'despicable' and needed to be 'called out and condemned by all'. "The Indian community have made and continue to make a very positive contribution to Irish society. I said yesterday, our health service would fall over without them, and that's true, but so too would many other parts of our public services and parts of our economy,' Mr Harris said His comments come after confirmation that India Day in Ireland has been postponed following a 'spate of violent attacks' on members of its community in recent months. The co-chairman of the Ireland India Council, Prashant Shukla, said making the decision was 'very difficult' and 'emotional', but that the safety and security of the community was more important. He said the event has been held in Ireland since 2015 and this had never happened before. Co-Chair of the Ireland India Council, Prashant Shukla (Niall Carson/PA) Today's News in 90 seconds - 11th August 2025 Hundreds of performers had been preparing for the event at Farmleigh House in the Phoenix Park on Sunday. 'We are not too much concerned about the safety at the event, we are more concerned about the perception on social media,' he said adding that they had created a perception that Indians had 'taken over the state' and had caused housing problems. 'So we want to actually balance these counter narratives, they are very very negative. 'We will review the situation and we will announce new dates for India Day this year.' He added: 'It is time to call out those who peddle racial hatred.' The announcement was made after representatives of the Indian community met with Tanaiste Simon Harris at Government Buildings on Monday. Attacks against members of the Indian community in Ireland have been highlighted in recent weeks after an Indian man was the victim of an unprovoked attack in Tallaght, Dublin, last month. Archbishop Dermot Farrell said the rcent attacks on members of the Indian community in Dublin have been 'truly shocking'. "These unprovoked attacks on people, including a child, who were apparently targeted solely because of their ethnic identity, have generated understandable fear and alarm among the Indian community,' he said. 'The truth is that the Indian community in Dublin comprises many people who have come to Dublin to make an important and valued contribution to our society. We are all familiar with the vital presence of Indian professionals in our healthcare system, without whom many healthcare needs simply could not be met. Others apply their skills in other important sectors of the economy and also contribute to funding public services through their taxes. A silent vigil was held outside the Department of Justice by Friends Of India in response. The Indian embassy in Dublin has also issued a warning that there has been 'an increase in the instances of physical attacks reported against Indian citizens in Ireland recently'. They said Indian citizens in Ireland should take 'reasonable' precautions and avoid deserted areas. Mr Harris has said he was 'deeply concerned' about the incidents and that one of the most concerning things was the 'very young age of those that have been involved in some of this racist activity'. The Ireland India Council said it wanted assaults on members of the Indian community to be recognised and recorded as hate crimes, to ensure the offences are 'appropriately recorded and addressed'. It has called for a cross-departmental taskforce on hate crime and youth violence and 'legislative reform' to hold parents more accountable for the actions of their children. It also called for enhanced policing, swift prosecution of offenders, and an outreach programme to affected communities. On Sunday, Minister of State with responsibility for migration Colm Brophy said he wanted the incoming Garda commissioner Justin Kelly to prioritise addressing these incidents. 'We actually have seen a drop in serious crime, but in this particular area, we have seen a rise in the type of attacks,' he told RTE Radio. 'I think there needs to be a stronger policing response in this area because there's two aspects to these attacks which I think are very very unacceptable. 'The first is obviously the attack itself, and the second then is the recording and videoing of it and the disseminating of it on social media and there's a role that has to be dealt with there as well.' The Indian embassy has been contacted for comment.

Top witness in John George murder jailed after near-fatal knife attack
Top witness in John George murder jailed after near-fatal knife attack

Sunday World

time8 hours ago

  • Sunday World

Top witness in John George murder jailed after near-fatal knife attack

Dan McMeekin, who knew John George well, is now behind bars in Maghaberry Prison Dan McMeekin, who was viciously stabbed in June in the Costa Blanca, returned quietly back into the country in the first few days of July — just days after he got out of hospital in Spain where he was recovering from an attempt on his life. The 29-year-old is now behind bars in Maghaberry Prison after he handed himself over to the authorities and admitted a couple of outstanding theft charges and possession of drugs, dating back to September 2023. McMeekin knew John George well and was in a bar in Spain where it's claimed a plan was hatched to attack the Belfast man who was later found murdered. John George, a father of two, was shot and his body left in a rural area in the Alicante region around December 14 but it wasn't discovered for several weeks. Supporters of John George and his family believe Dan McMeekin has information relevant to the investigation. However, he has never been arrested or charged with anything. Dan McMeekin with Johnny Smyth. News in 90 seconds - 11th August 2025 In January, Belfast lawyers acting for the family of John George named McMeekin as being one of two men who was due to appear in court in Spain — not as suspects but to tell the court what they knew about the lead-up to the murder. It's not clear what McMeekin's return home means for the murder investigation or whether he will be required to return to Spain to give evidence in the event of a murder trial. Czech national Michael Maly was arrested earlier this year and appeared in court as a murder suspect but was released on bail and has yet to be charged with any offence. Meanwhile, Newtownabbey man Jonny Smyth (27) was arrested in Portugal, having gone on the run, before being extradited to Spain, where he has also been named as a suspect and held on remand in prison. He has not yet been charged with any offence. After the attempt on McMeekin's life, speculation was rife that he may have been attacked by the criminal gang behind the murder of John George and the attack may have been a warning to him not to give evidence. Spanish police told the media that McMeekin knew his attacker but refused to name him. Dan McMeekin. On June 30, a 58-year-old Irishman, who Spanish cops claimed had convictions for 'homicide' and drug dealing, was arrested by the Civil Guard for the attempted murder of McMeekin and was brought before a Spanish court. Sources say McMeekin was in a 'terrible state' and came home to try and 'sort his life out'. 'Dan came home from Spain after the stabbing, which obviously really scared him,' said a source. 'When he left for Spain last year he was facing a couple of court cases and so he knew if he came back to Belfast he'd have to deal with that first. 'Dan's not a bad fella — he's a really sad case and you've seen the videos he made after the murder of John George where he's clearly feeling terrible about what happened. 'The pressure in Spain was getting too much — between almost being murdered and also the Spanish police were after him for a spate of break-ins where he was caught on CCTV several times. 'He wanted to come back and try and get his life back on track as he's still a young man. So he came home quietly at the start on July and he stayed with family in Lisburn and didn't leave the house pretty much for a couple of weeks. 'He then handed himself into the police a couple of weeks later and he was remanded into custody until he appeared in court to plead guilty to some shoplifting charges. John George with Jonny Smyth 'He's in Maghaberry but he'll be out soon and hopefully he can get the help he needs to get off the drugs that ruined his life.' A police spokesperson told the Sunday World: 'Police arrested a 29-year-old man in Lisburn on Friday 18th July for two outstanding bench warrants. 'He was subsequently transferred to court following his arrest and was remanded in prison. On 30th of July, he was sentenced to two months' imprisonment.' And according to court documents, McMeekin appeared at Laganside Magistrates Court in Belfast where he pleaded guilty to two counts of theft and a third charge of being in possession of a Class C drug. On the September 19 2023, he stole a bottle of Dior perfume to the value of £135 belonging to Boots, Donegall Place, Belfast. On the same day he stole a Fred Perry hoodie to the value of £100 belonging to JD Sports in Castle Place, Belfast. He was jailed for two months in total for the two theft charges. But he was further convicted of unlawfully being in possession of a Class C drug, Pregabalin, on the same day as the shoplifting spree. Jonny Smyth, the Belfast gym owner who has vanished in the aftermath of the murder of John George in the Costa del Sol. McMeekin, who is known to be extremely vulnerable due to substance abuse issues, became a target of social media trolls and amateur investigators after the murder of John George. He was identified as being someone who had crucial information about what happened to the Belfast man who went missing in the middle of December. Dan had previously admitted online he should have contacted the family of John George before the 37-year-old was murdered. Two weeks after John George's body was found, Belfast legal firm KRW Law said on January 31: 'We can confirm that summonses have issued for the attendance of two persons to answer enquiries in relation to the murder of Mr George. We have been in touch with the authorities in connection with this latest development. 'We understand that each person was originally due to appear at the designated Preliminary Court sitting in Torrevieja, Spain on Wednesday 29 January 2025 at 9.30am but are now expected to appear on Friday 31 January 2025 in the same court. 'We are advised the two specified persons are identified as Michael Maly and Daniel Anthony McMeekin. 'The family now face an anxious wait to learn what each individual has to say. They are calling upon them to take what they say is 'a final chance to come clean' on the lead-up to and the circumstances surrounding their son's murder before Christmas last year...' McMeekin posted a video to his Facebook page back in January where he was visibly upset and appeared to be high on drugs or drink. He was responding to wild speculation on social media and named one TikToker who he felt was not telling the truth about him and what he knew or didn't know about John George. Slurring his words, he says: 'I am doing my best to help in so many ways... I am guilty — guilty of not telling the family sooner. I am vulnerable, this is breaking me, I have a heart, I do. 'The truth will be told, what I know is fact. It's been a hard time, I have helped. There's a lot of yous who don't know about the good I have done so stop going by social media and stop jumping to conclusions. conclusions 'I know what the family is going through, please stop jumping to conclusions, I am helping.' McMeekin has been in jail back home in Northern Ireland several times and was convicted of a number of nasty domestic abuse offences. He was described as a drug addict during several appearances in various courtrooms where it emerged he had attacked the same partner a number of times and that the pair were both vulnerable and suffered from substance and alcohol abuse issues. We can also reveal that McMeekin's images have been plastered all over social media in Spain where it's claimed he is a suspect in a number of burglaries. Pictures appearing to show him inside business premises late at night were shared widely. Those claiming he is a suspect have pointed to his very distinctive tattoo he has on his left hand which is clearly visible.

Brit holidaymaker, 31, fighting for life with brain injury after being run over in Ibiza party resort San Antonio
Brit holidaymaker, 31, fighting for life with brain injury after being run over in Ibiza party resort San Antonio

The Irish Sun

time9 hours ago

  • The Irish Sun

Brit holidaymaker, 31, fighting for life with brain injury after being run over in Ibiza party resort San Antonio

He was injured in the same town that has seen a spate of deaths and accidents among Brit holidaymakers this year HOLS HORROR Brit holidaymaker, 31, fighting for life with brain injury after being run over in Ibiza party resort San Antonio A BRIT holidaymaker is fighting for his life after being run over in the Ibizan party resort of San Antonio. The 31-year-old was rushed to intensive care with a traumatic brain injury and chest and shoulder injuries. 2 The incident is the latest in a string of accidents to hit Brits in San Antonio Credit: Alamy 2 He was rushed to the Nuestra Senora del Rosario Polyclinic. Credit: Solarpix He was run over in the early hours of this morning in Doctor Fleming Avenue. Ambulance chiefs said it happened around 2.10am. The casualty was stabilised at the scene and rushed to the private Nuestra Senora del Rosario Polyclinic. The hospital said today: 'In the early hours of this morning a 31-year-old man was run over in Doctor Fleming Avenue in San Antonio. 'The Civil Guard, local police employed by the town hall, and an ambulance went to the scene. 'The injured man, a British national, was brough to our clinic and admitted at 2.35am. 'He remains in intensive care with a traumatic brain injury, chest trauma, and a shoulder injury.' This is the same hospital where a 25-year-old British tourist died last month after a fall from a supermarket car park in San Antonio. He plunged from the Mercadona supermarket car park while on holiday. A spokesperson said at the time: "Regrettably and despite all the efforts of medical personnel, the patient who fell yesterday in San Antonio has died due to the severity of his injuries." Paramedics in two ambulances had stabilised him at the scene. San Antonio has been under the spotlight following a spate of deaths and accidents among Brit tourists this year. A 23-year-old broke his back two weeks ago when he jumped into the pool at the hotel where he was staying. He dived from a height of 1.2 metres and hit his head on the bottom, sustaining multiple serious injuries. The Brit suffered a spinal cord injury, a fracture to the sixth vertebra, head trauma and a cervical injury. It was feared that he would be paralysed and never fully recover, according to Cadena Ser. More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store