Operation Overwatch – Drugs Operation Tipperary Division – Drugs €1.2 million seized.
Cannabis sativa
Gardaí in Tipperary have confirmed that an intelligence led Drugs Operation under ‘Operation Overwatch’, was completed across the Tipperary Division between September 26th and today, September 30th 2016.
Gardaí from the Tipperary Divisional Drugs Unit together with Detectives, Uniformed Community Gardaí, including Gardaí from the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau and the Garda Dog Unit, all took part in a number of planned drug operations which saw approximately €1.2 million in controlled drugs seizures.
As part of this recent operation a total of 26 locations were searched across the Division, including at least one here on the west side of Thurles town, with 9 suspects arrested for ‘Possession of Drugs for Sale and Supply under Section 15 Misuse of Drugs Act’, which also included 11 detections for ‘Simple Possession Contrary to Section 3 Misuse of Drugs Act 1977-1984’. Further searches took place this morning with additional arrests made.
Gardaí have also confirmed that a total of 34 Penal Warrants and 14 Bench Warrants were executed as part of this operation, with these offenders currently before the District Court.
Three significant drug seizures were made as part of this September 2016 operation and locations are named hereunder:
(1) On Sunday the 25th September 2016, a cannabis grow house was located in Ballykisteen Tipperary with drugs to the value of €7000 seized (analysis pending). One male, aged 26 years, was arrested before being released without charge with a file being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
(2) On Wednesday 28th September 2016, following this intelligence led operation, a cannabis grow house was located in Nenagh with drugs to the value of €20,000 (analysis pending), seized. One male aged 43 years was arrested and charged, before being remanded on bail to appear at Nenagh District Court on the 14th October 2016 next.
(3) On Wednesday 28th September 2016, following a joint operation between the Tipperary Divisional Drugs Unit, the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau; a sophisticated grow house was located in Hollyford, 28.2km or 17.5 miles from Thurles, Co Tipperary. Controlled drugs with an estimated street value of €1.1 million were seized (pending analysis). As part of this operation two males in their 40’s, were arrested and are currently detained at Thurles and Templemore Garda Stations under the provisions of Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drugs Trafficking) Act 1996, as amended.
The success of this past weeks operation will most definitely have a significant impact in the distribution of controlled drugs and the dismantling of drug related activity across Tipperary Division and indeed further afield.
The aim of Operation Overwatch is to reduce the incidence of Drug Trafficking and other related criminal activity, by supporting communities right across Tipperary and is under the command of Thurles Chief Superintendent Catherine Kehoe, Local District Officers, while co-ordinated by Divisional Detective Inspector Patrick O’Callaghan.
Anyone with information on these or any other crimes should contact their local Garda Station or the Garda Confidential Line on Telephone: 1800 666 111.
Well done to the Gardaí in Tipperary on a job very well done and to a Garda force so under paid for their job.