Eagle-eyed birdwatchers ruffle drug dealers feathers

GARDAI swooped in on drug dealers who were using a wooded area in Broadford, County Clare to stash cocaine after eagle-eyed birdwatchers called in suspicious activity in the area.

The game was up when birdwatchers spotted more than avian activity while in a forested area in the townland of Fermoyle and this prompted them to alert the gardaí that someone was falling fowl of the law.

On foot of the information an intelligence led operation was put into place with gardaí in Killaloe and Limerick flocking to stake out the area.

Drugs, which are suspected to be cocaine and valued in the region of €40,000 were uncovered on foot of the operation at Fermoyle in Broadford on Wednesday night last [January 25].

Inspector David Finnerty of Killaloe Garda Station confirmed that an “intelligence-led operation” was launched focusing on the wooded area in Broadford last week.

He said with the assistance of the Clare Divisional Drugs Unit and Limerick gardaí an operation was put in place resulting in the drugs seizure and two arrests.

“An initial suspect was arrested during the course of an operation and in a follow up search of a residence in Limerick City a second suspect was arrested and further evidence associated with it was gathered,” Inspector Finnerty said.

Both suspects were detained and later released without charge last week and a file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The drugs seized have been sent for analysis.