€7m Kinahan cannabis and cocaine haul seized at Ashbourne premises
Gardaí searched two commercial premises at Muckerstown, Ashbourne, on 15 November 2017 and seized cannabis herb packed in one-kilogram parcels together with cocaine, a combined haul valued at €7 million. Two Dublin men arrested at the scene were charged two days later with possession of drugs with intent to sell or supply.
Gardaí from the National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau and the Special Crime
Task Force searched two commercial premises at Muckerstown, Ashbourne, on
Wednesday 15 November 2017 as part of a planned international operation.[1][2]They found cannabis herb packed in wrapped one-kilogram parcels inside
crates, alongside cocaine; gardaí valued the combined haul at €7 million.[1][2]Two men in their thirties were arrested at the scene and detained under
section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996 at Ashbourne
station.[1][2]
Dubliners Michael Smullen, 31, and Keith Donoghue, 37, appeared before Trim
District Court on Friday charged with possession of drugs with intent to sell
or supply and were remanded in custody.[3]The court heard it was alleged
that Smullen had been making boxes from flat packs for his co-accused to pack
cannabis into.[3]A parallel operation in the Netherlands the next day saw
eight further suspects detained and more than 160 kilograms of cannabis and
cocaine seized.[1]
Case data
Every number and detail the sources state, with the sources that state it.
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.
