€3.2m cannabis hidden in vegetables seized at Ballymascanlon
Officers from the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau intercepted a commercial haulage vehicle at Ballymascanlon, near Dundalk, on 29 October 2019 and found herbal cannabis hidden in a load of fresh vegetables, valued at €3.2 million. Two men from Britain and Northern Ireland were arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking.
🇮🇪 Ballymascanlon, near Dundalk, Co. Louth · Ireland
Officers from the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau intercepted a
commercial haulage vehicle at Ballymascanlon, near Dundalk, on Tuesday 29
October 2019.[1][2]They found herbal cannabis concealed within a legitimate
load of fresh vegetables, with an estimated street value of €3.2 million.[1][2]
Two men from Britain and Northern Ireland were arrested on suspicion of drug
trafficking and detained at Dundalk station under section 2 of the Criminal
Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996.[1][2]The stop was part of ongoing joint
investigations by the bureau and the UK’s National Crime Agency under the
Cross Border Joint Agency Task Force.[2]Assistant Commissioner John
O’Driscoll called the seizure very significant and a success of cooperation
with the UK authorities.[1][2]
Photos and video
Vacuum-packed bags of cannabis herb and Garda evidence bags from the Ballymascanlon seizurePhoto details
Gardaí and Revenue Customs officers seized about 16.5 kg of herbal cannabis plus cannabis vapes and gummies, valued at €359,000, in operations across Clare and Kildare. One person was arrested after a seizure in County Kildare on 6 November 2026; investigations are ongoing.
Irish Revenue officers seized over 8.3 kg of herbal cannabis worth over €116,000 during operations in Dublin, the Midlands and Rosslare Europort in the week starting 26 October 2026. The cannabis was found in parcels from five countries alongside other drugs, alcohol, tobacco and counterfeit goods, with investigations ongoing.
Gardaí seized cannabis valued at €800–€1,000 from a car on the N17 at Gortnagunned near Milltown and arrested two drivers for drug-impaired driving. The stops on 2 November 2026 were part of the multi-agency Operation Intercept day of action in east Galway.
Gardai carried out three searches near Mullingar on 30 and 31 October 2026, seizing cannabis and cocaine with a combined estimated value of 2,300 euros. One person was charged after the first seizure and is due before Mullingar District Court; the stated cannabis-only value was 400 euros.
