A Surveillance operation over the past two weeks has resulted in the seizure in Cork of 50,000 ecstasy tablets with an estimated street value of £500,000. Three men were in custody last night at Bandon Garda station in Co Cork in connection with the incident.
According to Chief Supt Adrian Culligan, the seizure yesterday in a wooded area near Ballincollig was another major success in the fight against drugs in the south. Already this month cannabis worth £5.4 million has been recovered.
National and local drug units in Cork combined in an operation that led to the confiscation of £5 million worth of cannabis in the Cahir area of Co Tipperary earlier this month, and this was followed by members of the Cork drugs squad successfully intercepting £400,000 worth of the drug in east Cork. Charges in connection with the two cannabis hauls are before the court.
Yesterday's seizure was the result of undercover work by the Garda in Cork and is regarded by them as another significant success.
Chief Supt Culligan said that every seizure was a blow against the drug dealers in the fight "to keep death off the streets".
He said ecstasy was fetching up to £10 a tablet in Cork.
While the drugs were intended to be marketed in areas surrounding Cork the bulk of the shipment was intended for Cork city.