MAJOR CITY DRUG GANG SMASHED IN POUNDS 750,000 SEIZURE

GARDAI believe they have cracked a major Dublin city drug trafficking gang
after seizing a pounds 750,000 consignment in a park.

Members of the garda drugs unit in Clontarf, backed up by the national
drugs unit, uncovered the haul after a week-long surveillance operation in
the capital.

Detectives stopped a man who is suspected of being a close associate of a
leading north inner-city drug trafficker in St Anne's Park in Raheny and
detained him for questioning.

They recovered a haul of cannabis, cocaine and heroin estimated to be worth
pounds 750,000 on the streets.

Last night a man and woman were both being questioned by detectives at
Clontarf under drug trafficking legislation after their periods of
detention were extended.

Gardai said the surveillance of suspects followed weeks of inquiries
involving the local unit in Clontarf.

Meanwhile, a routine car search yesterday saw the seizure of cannabis with
an estimated street value of pounds 250,000.

Gardai made the find shortly before 8pm outside the village of Rathmore, Co
Kerry.

Officers said the driver of a car parked outside the village had been
acting suspiciously and an examination of the boot of the car revealed 25kg
of cannabis.

A 36-year-old man with an address in Kerry was arrested and is being held
in custody.