Gardaí who searched a tent hidden in dense undergrowth along the Grand Canal found a drugs packaging and distribution service.
Cannabis, crack cocaine and dimorphine, a heroin substitute, with an estimated street value of €37,440, were seized in search which occurred along a stretch of the canal near Loughview Road, Clondalkin in Co Dublin.
Acting on a tip-off, members of the divisional drug unit based in Ballyfermot Garda station searched the tent on Friday and arrested three men inside.
![The tent that was searched in Clondalkin on Friday. Photograph: An Garda](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/HFRSFAVPWS22AJZYGBUM5HJ4IU.jpg?auth=314dd92e8615510ca30d1d0f403250a66e8e5a140f4fde7d28bc2d7dfba5ddb2&width=800&height=446)
![The inside of the tent that gardaí say was used for packaging and the distribution of drugs. Photograph: An Garda](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/MJG36N4HXKJXGZN2DK4LMREYWI.jpg?auth=4c16913e1c83b55921b51536dd150070970ae41e12e8403a5110a4c8da546e4f&width=800&height=446)
A search of the tent revealed it was used for drug packaging and distribution. Cannabis valued at €15,080, crack cocaine to the value of €6,400 and Dimorphine worth €15,960 were seized (subject to analysis).
The men are being questioned under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996 at Clondalkin and Ballyfermot Garda stations.
A further follow-up search in the surrounding area resulted in the discovery of 108 packets of cigarettes and other tobacco products valued at approximately €1,400.
Gardaí say the operation represents a “significant disruption in drug dealing activity along the canal in Clondalkin”.