Drugs with an estimated street value of €25,000 have been seized by Athlone Gardai and three people arrested this week, following a series of planned searches in the town.
The drugs busts occurred between Monday and Thursday of this week, when Gardai carried out raids on six separate premises under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
A large quantity of cannabis and a small amount of heroin were recovered from the private homes during the raids, and an assortment of drugs paraphernalia also seized.
Three males were arrested following the raids and were brought to Athlone Garda Station where they were detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984. However all three were later released and files prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The drugs seizure was carried out as part of an ongoing operation by the Drugs Unit.
Although not the largest drugs seizure made in Athlone in recent years, Sgt John Lawless of Athlone Garda Station said the operation was “a sign that Gardai are targeting local dealers”.
