More cocaine being seized in local drug busts
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COCAINE has featured prominently in a series of recent drug seizures in Co Carlow, as gardaí continue to target the sale and supply of controlled drugs under .
The latest operation, carried out in Hacketstown on Monday 30 December, saw gardaí seize cocaine with an estimated street value of €38,000 as part of a larger haul worth more than €215,000. The search, conducted by the Carlow Drugs Unit, also uncovered suspected cannabis, Valium tablets, vapes and vape liquid, along with almost €22,000 in cash.
While cannabis continues to make up a significant proportion of drugs seized locally, garda statements in recent months show cocaine repeatedly appearing alongside other substances in Carlow operations, often in residential properties rather than on the street.
The Hacketstown seizure follows a pattern seen in other searches across the county, where cocaine is being recovered in quantities that suggest supply level activity rather than personal use. In many cases, gardaí have pointed to investigations into the ‘sale and supply’ of drugs, with suspects arrested under the .
Gardaí also recovered cocaine estimated at €35,000 in a mid-October drugs bust. During searches of multiple properties on 16-17 October, officers from the Carlow Drugs Unit found suspected cocaine alongside other criminal items, including firearms and a viable improvised explosive device. Two men in their 40s were arrested and detained. The suspected drugs and other materials were sent for analysis to Forensic Science Ireland.
In another recent incident in mid-November 2025, gardaí executed a warrant on a house in Carlow town and seized cocaine with an estimated value of €20,000. In that case, no immediate arrests were reported and investigations continue.
Similarly, in August 2024, gardaí seized drugs believed to be cocaine with a street value of €50,000 on open ground in Rathvilly village. No arrests were immediately reported at the time.
Commenting on the growing presence of cocaine in local seizures, minister for public health, wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy Jennifer Murnane O’Connor said: “The drug market is constantly evolving and new and more dangerous substances are constantly emerging, as well as a continuing supply of illicit drugs.”
She commended An Garda Síochána for their work in “keeping our communities safe”.
“This latest seizure, as well as others around Carlow, is a reminder of the vital role that gardaí are playing in our response to drug supply and the harm caused by organised crime,” added minister Murnane O’Connor.
She said that as the minister with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy, she believes it is important to continue to develop a response to emerging drug trends.
“We want to prevent harmful drug and alcohol use, as well as improving access to evidence-based treatment services,” she added.
In the new National Drugs Strategy, which minister Murnane O’Connor is bringing forward this year, she aims “to set out how access to treatment as well as prevention of harm will be strengthened”.
In the Hacketstown case, the seized drugs will now be sent to Forensic Science Ireland for analysis, with investigations continuing. A man in his 30s remains detained in connection with the operation.
