Mayo gardaí seize ecstasy tablets and suspected cannabis herb in searches
THE Mayo Divisional Drugs Unit, supported by members of the community engagement team from Claremorris Garda Station, carried out an intelligence-led search of a house near Claremorris town centre yesterday.
A search warrant issued under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 was executed at a residential address in the town where gardaí seized controlled drugs believed to be approximately 100 ecstasy tablets with estimated value of €1,000 (subject to analysis).
Following the search a male, aged 41, was interviewed in relation to offences of possession of drugs for sale or supply with regard to the items recovered and a file will be prepared for submission to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
In a seperate search in the Grattan Park area of the town last Thursday, a number of deals of suspected cannabis herb were recovered with an estimated value of €1,000.
Enquiries are ongoing of the drugs seized with a view to linking them to the person or persons involved in the suspected sale or supply of these drugs in the Claremorris area.
Superintendent Gabriel Moran said: “The quick response to intelligence received in this instance has resulted in a significant quantity of drugs being removed from the streets of Claremorris and enquiries will continue to identify those involved in this unlawful activity.
“I would appeal to anyone in the community who may have information that could assist Gardaí in securing the prosecution of this or other drug dealers to contact Claremorris Gardaí or to call the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.”
These intelligence-led operations are part of the ongoing work of Mayo Divisional Drugs Unit targeting those involved in the sale and supply of controlled drugs across the county.
Superintendent Moran stated: “Gardaí in Claremorris Community Engagement Area and across Mayo are committed to tackling the impact of drugs on our community.
“Intelligence-led operations focused on enforcement as well as proportionate use of powers of search are a key focus of the 2020 Policing Plan for Mayo Division and the Community Engagement Areas.
“This will be combined with education and information initiatives over the year in partnership with the Mayo Joint Policing Committee. As part of this community gardaí are currently speaking to young people in schools across the county about the dangers of drugs misuse and working with partners in health and community groups.
“The allocation of additional resources in recent weeks to the Mayo Divisional Drugs unit is already delivering enhanced results in terms of visibility of search operations across the county and successes in seizures of drugs across Mayo which were destined for use and sale in our community.
“The devastating impact of drugs on the health and wellbeing of people is a key concern for gardaí.
“The impact of drugs on families and the cost of paying to support a drugs habit feeds into crime levels and fear in families in the county.
“Because of this the unit, along with detectives from the Mayo Crime Hub, will be seeking to target those selling drugs in our communities with a view to both prosecution and seizure of their ill gotten gains.”
An Garda Síochána appeals to anyone who has information about those who are involved in the supply or sale of drugs to speak to their local garda, contact their local Garda Station or to call the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.”