DUBLIN, Ireland: A joint operation by Gardaí and Polish police has led to the seizure of more than 8 million euros worth of drugs in Ireland over the past three years, dismantling part of a criminal network that spanned several European countries.

Thirteen Polish nationals were arrested in Ireland as part of the probe, which uncovered 340 kilograms of cannabis herb and 155 kilograms of cannabis resin. According to Poland's Central Bureau of Investigation (CBSP), the groups were largely controlled by Polish nationals living in Spain, some of whom have links to football hooligan gangs.

"During the investigation, 600 kilograms of marijuana, 180 kilograms of hashish, 40 kilograms of amphetamine sulfate, as well as seven firearms and several hundred rounds of ammunition were seized," the CBSP said in a statement.

Gardaí say further investigations are ongoing.

The network was responsible for moving drugs across Ireland, Germany, Austria, and Scandinavia. Multiple European Union law enforcement agencies supported the operation.

In a related case, video footage was recently made public of one of Ireland's most dramatic drug seizures, the capture of 2.2 tonnes of cocaine worth 157 million euros on a container ship in September 2023. Eight men have since been sentenced after admitting their role in the smuggling attempt.

Footage released last month revealed how the Irish Army Ranger Wing boarded the Panama-flagged MV Matthew in gale-force winds after it sailed into Irish territorial waters from Curaçao, a Caribbean island off Venezuela. Audio recordings captured the tense moments as the Irish Naval Service pursued the vessel, issuing warnings and firing shots before soldiers descended from helicopters to secure the ship.

The interception was led by Ireland's multi-agency drugs task force, including An Garda Síochána, Revenue, and the Defence Forces, with support from the Coast Guard, Interpol, and the European Union's Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre (Narcotics). Authorities had been tracking the vessel for days after intelligence flagged its suspicious movements.

Together, the two primary operations underscore Ireland's growing importance as a gateway for narcotics into Europe and the high level of international cooperation required to disrupt such networks.