An Garda Síochána have arrested six people suspected of involvement in large-scale drug trafficking. The arrests were part of an international operation coordinated by the EU’s law enforcement agency, Europol.
Another six people were simultaneously arrested in Spain.
Europol says the police operation aims to take down “one of Ireland’s high-risk criminal networks.”
“The criminals are suspected of involvement in large-scale drug trafficking, mainly by transporting drugs hidden in vehicles from Spain to Ireland.”
Last year police uncovered an encrypted messaging network known as Ghost.
According to Europol, the communication network was being used to coordinate criminal activities.
After cracking the network, “investigators were able to trace several Ghost user handles back to members of the criminal network”, leading to today’s arrests, Europol says.
“This high-risk criminal network coordinated the drug trade using these sophisticated communication channels, relying on both encryption and multi-platform distribution.
The sophistication of their communications was in stark contrast to the simplicity of their modus operandi; it consisted of smuggling cocaine and marijuana across the continent in vehicles equipped with custom-made secret compartments and cloned number plates.”
An Garda Síochána said it will “continue to investigate the activities of an International Organised Crime Group based in West Dublin.”
“An Garda Síochána operations have been fully supported by Europol, the Guardia Civil (Spain) and the @ON Network, which is funded by the EU Commission, led by the Italian Antimafia Investigation Directorate (DIA).
Officers from Europol, the Guardia Civil (Spain) and the @ON Network were present and supporting An Garda Síochána over the past 48 hours.
An Garda Síochána has also provided support to the Guardia Civil by deploying Garda officers to Spain.”