‘Major player' lifted as latest €5.4m heroin & coke bust smashes The Family gang's drug smuggling network along border
A BORDER-based criminal has been arrested after Gardai seized almost €5.4m worth of heroin and cocaine.
The Irish Sun can reveal he's one of
The suspected drug trafficker - who has previously been targeted by the
But detectives also suspect he's been a major player in the drugs trade along the border for years and also has connections to criminal organisations in the
The
The second man arrested isn't suspected of being a major player in organised crime.
Read more in News
The investigation was run by Revenue's Customs Service, the
A source said: 'One of these individuals who has been arrested has been involved in organised crime for many years.
'He is based in Co
'He has also been the subject of investigations by the PSNI and officers in
Most read in The Irish Sun
'This is another significant seizure of dangerous drugs that were destined for the
The latest seizure has dismantled the Family gang's drug smuggling network along the border.
Ex-Bolivian beauty queen arrested after private plane is forced to make emergency landing - & cops make shock discovery
It comes after Gardai disrupted their criminal enterprises in other parts of the country since the start of the year.
A Garda spokesperson confirmed investigations were under way.
The spokesperson said: 'Gardai arrested two men following the seizure by Revenue officers of 20kg of diamorphine (heroin) and 37kg of cocaine with an estimated value of approximately €5,390,000 in Co. Meath yesterday, Tuesday 27 May 2025."
"This seizure was made as a result of an intelligence led joint operation conducted by Revenue's Customs Service, the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau and Eastern Region colleagues, the Meath/Westmeath Divisional Drugs and Crime Units.
'Two men, aged in their 60s, are currently detained at a Garda station in Meath. Investigations are ongoing.'
Both men can be held for a week before being released or charged.
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A border-based criminal has been arrested after Gardai seized almost €5.4m worth of heroin and cocaine
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Mr Nolan added that this was a 'classic situation' of a man with no qualifications, no work history and not ability to be gainfully employed so he slips into the easy way of drinking but now realises that's not the way. He said McAteer had put his hands up and gone forward on a signed plea and was anxious to deal with the case. He added that it was a story that Judge Aylmer has heard numerous times but he was anxious that something be done for McAteer stressing that he agreed with the Judge that this was very much a 'joint enterprise' and that both of them were responsible for it. Passing sentence, Judge Aylmer said the aggravating features of the case was that McAteer had previous convictions for robbery and assault and the fact that he produced a weapon and used it on the homeowner. He added that all this occurred all occurred in the sanctity of Mr Doherty's home where McAteer had been invited as a guest before walking away with his television. 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He added that he wanted to encourage McAteer to engage in his rehabilitation and said he was suspending the last 12 months of the sentence meaning the accused will serve six years in prison. When the sentence was handed down McAteer spoke up to Judge Aylmer and called the sentence 'disgusting' before being led away by prison officers. 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
