TWO associates are being quizzed over a €2.2m cannabis seizure in Co Donegal.
The Irish Sun can reveal the pair were arrested after Revenue and Customs recovered from tractor tyres in Lifford.
It’s understood the pair were in the pay of a cross-border crime gang.
The duo were under the radar and had never come to the attention of gardai before.
It’s also believed the drugs were destined for the Irish market, but also for the north.
And the pair have also been classified as “facilitators” for the gang.
The investigation is being run by investigators from Revenue, the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau and the Donegal Divisional Drugs Unit.
One source: “These two individuals were being used by a criminal network to store drugs.
“They were approached because they weren’t known to Gardai and weren’t linked to any organised crime gang.
“They are similar to other legitimate businesses across Ireland who are often used by criminal groups.
“There have been a lot of cases recently in which legitimate businesses have been compromised as a result of greed.”
Officers are now trying to establish how the drugs were smuggled into Ireland.
In recent months, gardai and Customs have stepped up their investigations against cross-border crime gangs working together.
The threat posed by gangs working together was also discussed at a major cross-border conference last month.
Gardai confirmed investigations were ongoing.
A spokesperson said: “As part of an intelligence led operation, Revenue officers seized 112kgs of herbal cannabis with an estimated value of €2.2m in Lifford on Tuesday.
“This seizure was made as a result of a joint operation and Gardai arrested two men aged in their 30s.”
A spokeswoman for Revenue added: “This seizure is part of Revenue’s ongoing joint investigations involving organised crime groups and the importation, sale and supply of illegal drugs.
“If businesses, or members of the public, have any information regarding drug smuggling, they can contact Revenue in confidence on phone number 1800 295 295.
“Investigations are ongoing.”
Two men are being being quizzed over a €2.2m cannabis seizure in Co DonegalCredit: Garda
