Exclusive: €4 million cocaine haul found in Donegal 'traced back to boat purchased in Dundalk'

Handout photo issued by the Garda of multiple packages of drugs discovered along the north Donegal coastline

Gardaí are investigating whether the shocking discovery of €4 million worth of cocaine off the coast of Donegal is linked to a boat purchased in Co Louth.

Sources have told the Irish Mirror that officers investigating the discovery of packages of cocaine along the North Donegal coastline last July now suspect it originated from a boat that was purchased in the Dundalk area.

That led gardaí from Donegal, assisted by Louth gardaí, to carry out searches in the Dundalk area on Thursday – as the net now closes in on a suspected drug smuggling operation.

Several items have since been seized – including laptops, phones and documents – which gardaí hope will reveal details of a smuggling gang’s operation.

Gardaí were first alerted to the discovery of a package at Ballyhiernan Beach in Fanad, Co Donegal on July 19 at 8.30am. Half an hour later, they were alerted to another similar package at Tramore Beach.

It is now suspected the drugs were due to be picked up at sea by a drug smuggling gang – and dumped into the water for them. A boat was later impounded at Magheraroarty in Donegal and the pier was sealed off to the public.

In a statement on Thursday morning gardaí said: “Gardaí in Milford continue to investigate all of the circumstances of the discovery of a number of packages along the North Donegal coastline that occurred on Wednesday, 19th July 2023.

“The packages, containing cocaine, weighed approximately 60kg with an estimated street value in excess of €4 million. This morning, Donegal Gardaí, assisted by Louth Gardaí, have carried out searches at a number of locations in Dundalk.

“Items of potential evidential value to the investigation have been seized, including electronic devices and documents. No arrests have been made at this time.

“Investigations are ongoing.”

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