Westmeath garda seize drugs and arrests nine

A garda operation tackling the drugs trade in the midlands ended today with the arrest of nine people.

From January 2014 to October 2014 Gardaí in Athlone conducted an operation targeting persons involved in the sale and supply of illegal drugs in the midlands, particularly heroin.

These persons were identified from ongoing work by gardaí targeting drug dealers in the midlands during a joint operation by Athlone Gardaí and the Garda National Drugs Unit.

This operation also included drug test purchases carried out by plain clothes gardaí.

The final stage of this operation was on September 25 and 26, with the arrest of nine persons for the sale and supply of illegal drugs.

Eight of those are charged with offences under the Misuse of Drugs Acts for the sale and supply of illegal drugs and all nine are remanded on bail to appear before Athlone District Court on October 1.

These persons range in age from 25 to 36 years and include six males and three females. Gardaí anticipate further arrests as part of this operation.

This operation is part of the continued efforts, by gardaí in Athlone to combat the illegal drug trade in the midlands and gardaí would like to acknowledge the contribution of the public for their assistance in the ongoing efforts to protect our society, individuals and their families from the harm and pain caused by illegal drugs.