Gardaí arrest man seize over €8 million in cocaine in Laois

Gardaí arrested a man and seized drugs worth an estimated €8 million in Laois earlier today.  

The seizure was part of Operation TARA, which is designed to disrupt, dismantle and prosecute drug trafficking networks, at all levels - international, national, local - involved in the importation, distribution, cultivation, production, local sale and supply of controlled drugs.

Personnel attached to the Garda National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau conducted a search operation at a residential address and lands in the Ballacolla area on Tuesday, October 28, 2025.

During the course of this operation 116 kilos of suspected Cocaine (subject to Analysis) valued at approximately €8.1 million was recovered along with a number of electronic devices. 

One man in his 30s was arrested pursuant to Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 and he is currently detained, pursuant to the provisions of Section 50 of Criminal Justice Act 2007, at a Laois Garda Station.

The drugs seized will be forwarded to Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) for analysis.

Following the operation, Head of the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau said, Detective Chief Superintendent, Seamus Boland said:  "An Garda Síochána will continue to focus our resources on those who collaborate with and facilitate organised crime. We are determined to continue dismantling drug trafficking routes into Ireland and will continue doing our part to keep our communities safer. Please think before you use”.

Gardaí said investigations are ongoing.