Cash in excess of €1m has been seized by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau during an operation in Co Kildare this morning.
At 6.30am as part of ongoing investigations targeting organised crime, gardaí intercepted a van on the M7 in Co. Kildare.
In a search of the van, a vast amount of cash was located and seized, estimated to be in excess of €1,000,000.
In the operation, a 45 year-old man, was arrested and is currently detained at Portlaoise Garda station.
He was arrested on suspicion of involvement in participating in the activities of a criminal organisation, to facilitate money laundering, relating to the suspected proceeds of drug trafficking.
A number of follow up searches were undertaken in the midlands, resulting in the seizure of an additional sum of cash estimated to be approximately €10,000.
Speaking today Assistant Commissioner John O’Driscoll, who heads Organised and Serious Crime, within An Garda Síochána, said:
“We again today have made a significant advance in our attempt to dismantle organised crime groups, by locating and seizing the suspected proceeds of their criminal activity.
“Despite our significant commitment to tackling issues associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, at this time, An Garda Síochána remains focused on protecting communities from serious and organised crime, including cyber enabled crime, drug trafficking and associated money laundering.”
