Ecstasy and ketamine worth €108,000 seized in Athlone

The largest drug seizure in the history of the State may have been dominating the national news headlines in recent days, but Revenue has announced that Athlone was the scene of a drug seizure this week also.

Revenue officers examining parcels at a premises in the town seized 1.43kg of ecstasy tablets and 1kg of ketamine, with an estimated value of almost €108,000.

The seizure took place on Tuesday (September 26) and Revenue said the drugs were detected "as a result of risk profiling".

The illicit drugs were in parcels which originated in the Netherlands and were destined for addresses in Dublin and Waterford.

A statement from Revenue said investigations into the seizure in Athlone were ongoing.

Separately, last week, as a result of risk profiling and with the assistance of detector dog Sam, Revenue officers examining parcels at a premises in Dublin seized drugs and prescription medicines with an estimated value of €206,000.

The drugs consisted of varying quantities of herbal cannabis, cannabis oil, cannabis-infused edibles, butane honey oil and cannabis resin.

The illegal drugs were discovered in parcels originating in the USA, Canada, Spain, India and the UK and were destined for addresses nationwide. The parcels had been declared as, ‘bedding’, ‘candy’, ‘toys’, ‘cosmetics’ and ‘clothing’.

The prescription drugs seized in Dublin consisted of varying quantities of Sildenafil, Zopiclone, Benzodiazepines and Viagra.

Two imitation firearms were also seized and have been sent to An Garda Síochána for further examination.