100 cannabis plants found near Whitegate

GARDAÍ have described the seizure of €40,000 worth of cannabis plants at a woodland area in Whitegate as “the largest find of growing cannabis in the area”.
The find of 100 plants was made last week at the townland of Ballyhinch, near Cregg Cross and was part of an intelligence-led operation involving gardaí from Scariff and Killaloe. The haul is the second sizeable drug seizure in the county in a week following a €25,000 worth of cannabis resin found at a house in Ennis last Tuesday.
Inspector John O’Sullivan of the Killaloe Garda District said the plants were discovered growing in a wooded area adjacent to a house in Ballyhinch, Whitegate.
“The plants were reaching maturity and there was evidence some of them were partially harvested. They were obviously there for a good while and were being looked after as they need constant watering. It is the largest seizure in our area for some time,” Inspector O’Sullivan noted.
Sergeant Joe Fallon who was co-ordinating the operation with Garda Darren McLoughlin at Scariff Garda Station explained that while there had been seizures of cultivated cannabis in the East Clare area in the past this was “the largest find of actual growing cannabis in the area”.
He explained that in the past, plants had been located but the plants had been harvested and this seizure had “thwarted” the drug being harvested and sold on. The sergeant described the outdoor grow house as a “well-organised, well-hidden and well-concealed” operation, adding that gardaí were now pursuing “an open line of inquiry”.
He explained that they had ruled out certain individuals from the investigation but were anxious to speak with anyone locally who may have noticed suspicious activity in the area or who may be able to help them with their enquiries.
The area where this haul was found is located approximately two miles outside Whitegate on the Portumna side of Cregg Cross.
Gardaí are interested in speaking with anyone who noticed any unusual traffic heading in and out of the Ballyhinch area or who may have seen anyone walking through fields or rural locations without any cause to do so.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Killaloe Garda Station on 061 620540.