By Sean Murphy
COCAINE with a €25,000 estimated street value was seized with other drugs and a rifle by gardai in Donegal.
It was the second seizure in a number of days as part of Operation Tara by the Garda Armed Support Unit amid a major crackdown of drug trafficking in Donegal.
A man in his 40s was arrested following the latest search, which involved a number of residential properties in the Inishowen area last Friday.
Gardai are continuing their investigations into the drug trade in Donegal.
A Garda spokesperson said: “As part of ongoing operations targeting the sale and supply of drugs in the area, gardaí in Co Donegal searched a number of residential properties and arrested a male on August 21.
“Suspected cocaine with an estimated street value of €25,000 was seized, along with other quantities of controlled drugs. An air rifle was also seized.
“A man, aged in his 40s, was arrested and detained under the provisions of Section 2 of Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking Act) 1996 at a station in the Garda North Western Region.
“He has since been released without charge. A file will be prepared for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. Investigations are ongoing.”
Gardai seized several items during searches in Donegal.
Meanwhile, a man who was arrested after a drugs seizure in Letterkenny last week was also released without charge over the weekend.
The Donegal News reported last week that an estimated €14,000 worth of suspected cannabis was seized in the Cullion Road area.
Gardaí searched two residential properties during a multi-agency operation which included the Garda Armed Support Unit.
A man in his 50s was arrested after the seizure on Tuesday and detained at a station in the Garda North Western Region under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996.
He has later released without charge and a Garda spokesperson confirmed that a file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Gardaí from the Donegal Divisional Drugs Unit carried out the searches as part of ongoing investigations targeting the sale and supply of controlled drugs in the region.
They were assisted by the Donegal North Community Engagement Area, Dog Unit and Armed Support Unit.
The drugs seizure will be sent to Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) for analysis.
Investigations are ongoing, stated gardai.