Gardaí Seize €7 Million Worth of Cannabis in Major Co. Kildare Operation
Gardaí have seized cannabis worth an estimated €7 million in County Kildare as part of Operation Tara, with four people arrested and charged with possession for sale or supply in one of the largest single cannabis finds under the national anti-drugs operation — a seizure that underlines the scale of organised crime's grip on the Irish drug trade and the growing sophistication of law enforcement's response.
The operation, conducted on April 1, 2026, involved planned searches across properties in County Kildare and County Carlow. The primary seizure occurred at a property in Crookstown Upper, Ballitore, where approximately 350 kilograms of cannabis was found in a shed. Investigators also discovered tubs of benzocaine, a substance commonly used as a mixing agent for other drugs, suggesting the property was being used as a processing as well as storage facility.
Background
Operation Tara is An Garda Síochána's enhanced national anti-drugs strategy, launched on July 1, 2021, with a central mission to protect communities from the harms of illicit drugs by disrupting, dismantling, and prosecuting drug trafficking networks at all levels — from international importation to local street-level distribution. To support the initiative, Divisional Drugs Units have been established in every Garda Division, with 321 full-time members assigned to these units as of the operation's launch.
The Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau plays a central role in intelligence-led investigations under Operation Tara. An Garda Síochána has identified 169 organised crime groups operating within the state, 24 of which are designated as high-priority targets. An estimated 65% of these groups are involved in the drug trade — higher than the EU average of 50%.
The cocaine trade has become the most pervasive criminal market in Ireland, with South American cartels driving down wholesale prices and increasing profit margins for Irish gangs. The Kildare seizure demonstrates that cannabis trafficking at scale remains a major focus for organised crime groups operating across the island.
Key Developments
Four individuals were arrested in connection with the Kildare seizure: Emre Ozdemier, 29, of Carlow; Alex Forsyth, 33, of Monkstown Farm, Dublin; John Weekes, 38, of Athy, Co. Kildare; and Alanna Corrigan, 29, of Crookstown Upper, Co. Kildare. All four were detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996 and subsequently charged with possession of cannabis for sale or supply.
The four accused appeared before a special sitting of Naas District Court on April 4, 2026. Gardaí alleged that Ozdemier was found hiding in a ditch after a three-hour search, while Weekes was reportedly seen attempting to discard two mobile phones while fleeing the scene. The court heard that Forsyth admitted the shed was used for cannabis storage. Defence solicitors argued that their clients played minor roles, with one described as a "mule" who provided the shed for storage. Judge Desmond Zaidan granted bail to Corrigan under strict conditions, while the three male defendants were remanded in custody.
The Kildare seizure is one of a series of significant Operation Tara successes in recent months. In December 2025, Gardaí seized an estimated €136,000 in cannabis and €38,000 in cocaine in County Carlow. In February 2026, a coordinated operation targeting drug-related intimidation led to the arrest of seven individuals and the seizure of 12 vehicles and over €32,000 in cash. The GNDOCB seized over €126 million worth of drugs and €2.8 million in cash during 2025 alone.
Why It Matters
A seizure of €7 million worth of cannabis is not merely a law enforcement statistic — it represents a significant disruption to the supply chain of organised crime groups that fund their operations through the drug trade and use the proceeds to finance violence, intimidation, and further criminal activity. The discovery of benzocaine at the Kildare property suggests the site was being used for drug processing, indicating a level of operational sophistication that points to involvement by an established criminal network rather than opportunistic individuals.
Operation Tara's Drug Related Intimidation Reporting Programme addresses the direct community impact of the drug trade. Early findings from the DRIVE research project indicate that victims of drug-related intimidation are often females aged 40-60, while perpetrators are typically young men aged 18-24 — reflecting the exploitation of vulnerable families by criminal networks collecting drug debts.
The scale of the Kildare seizure also highlights the volume of cannabis moving through the Republic of Ireland, some of which inevitably finds its way across the border into Northern Ireland. Cross-border drug trafficking is a persistent challenge for both An Garda Síochána and the Police Service of Northern Ireland, requiring close operational cooperation.
Local Impact
For communities in Northern Ireland and across the border counties, the disruption of major cannabis supply networks has direct consequences. Drug trafficking organisations operating in the Republic frequently supply markets in Belfast and other Northern Ireland cities, and seizures of this scale reduce the availability of drugs and increase prices — temporarily disrupting the supply chains that fuel local drug markets and the associated violence and exploitation.
The PSNI and An Garda Síochána maintain close operational cooperation on cross-border organised crime, sharing intelligence and conducting joint operations. The Kildare seizure is a reminder of the scale of the challenge both forces face in tackling the organised crime groups that operate across the island without regard for jurisdictional boundaries.
What's Next
The investigation into the Kildare seizure remains ongoing, with an incident room established at Carlow Garda Station. The seized drugs have been sent to Forensic Science Ireland for detailed analysis. The four accused face further court appearances as the case progresses. Gardaí have indicated that the intelligence gathered during the operation may lead to further arrests and seizures as investigators follow the supply chain back to its source.
Operation Tara updates are published by An Garda Síochána at garda.ie. The Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau's work is detailed at garda.ie/GNDOCB. Court proceedings are reported by RTÉ News.
