Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

File image of cannabis plants (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)

Four arrested in €360,000 Donegal drug bust

A woman in her 60s is among those that have been arrested.

GARDAÍ IN DONEGAL have arrested three women and a man after a €360,000 cannabis seizure in Ballybofey, Co Donegal today.

The arrests were made, gardaí say, as part of an ongoing investigation targeting cannabis cultivation in Donegal. This evening’s search was conducted by members of the Letterkenny Drugs Unit.

Cannabis plants with an estimated street value of €360,000 were discovered, along with other items made and adapted for the growth and cultivation of cannabis, during a search at a premises on Navenny St., Ballybofey, this evening.

A man aged in his 30s, and three women, two in their 20s and one in her 60s were arrested.

They are currently detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996 at Letterkenny Garda Station.

Read: Three arrested after gardaí seized drugs from Meath house

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
63 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Massimo Osti
    Favourite Massimo Osti
    Report
    Jan 21st 2014, 10:09 PM

    Not a smoker myself, but I can’t help but think it makes sense to legalise recreational use of cannabis. If not from the huge revenue boost to the exchequer but for freeing up valuable gardai time and resources and dealing a major blow to the criminal gangs. Obviously the question of regulation would have to be addressed but if one was to examine alcohol related violence/deaths, there wouldn’t be much of a question which drug does more harm to families and society..

    109
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute SSDP Ireland
    Favourite SSDP Ireland
    Report
    Jan 21st 2014, 11:47 PM

    In the last 6 months 2/3 of our societies started up. We have made national TV and local papers and directly involved 1,000s of people in Ireland with ideas of drug policy as well as sending students to various International Drug Policy Consortium in Vienna and Colorado (See photos). We are keen on increasing student lead capacity building around drug-related issues to give students a strong, articulate voice on these issues. But we are a grass roots network and cannot increase our capacity without students who are willing to STAND UP and take the first step on their campus. Who of you is interested in starting up the fourth SSDP Ireland chapter? We are in touch with several students all over the country who want SSDP, but few of them are willing to take the first step. It is up to YOU to get up and start one! Mail us at ireland@ssdp.org if you would like to learn how. Even if this is your last year in college or you’re not starting until next year, one individual taking the first step forward can make a significant impact for the SSDP Ireland network. We can help each other grow and develop, we invite you to take advantage of this opportunity.

    ssdp.org/ireland

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute J. Dunn
    Favourite J. Dunn
    Report
    Jan 21st 2014, 11:59 PM

    Right, but can I make $62/hr working from my computer?

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Leslie Alan Rock
    Favourite Leslie Alan Rock
    Report
    Jan 21st 2014, 9:37 PM

    Any real drugs found?

    72
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Johner Kelly
    Favourite Johner Kelly
    Report
    Jan 21st 2014, 9:59 PM

    Are you a hash dragon?

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Leslie Alan Rock
    Favourite Leslie Alan Rock
    Report
    Jan 21st 2014, 10:40 PM

    Havent touched it in aboit 10 yr. Did like a smoke tho

    28
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Gleeson
    Favourite John Gleeson
    Report
    Jan 22nd 2014, 8:47 AM

    Rarely is.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave cullen
    Favourite Dave cullen
    Report
    Jan 21st 2014, 9:50 PM

    How come growhouses found every week. And no real hard drugs ever reported found? Just wondering like.easy touch ?

    60
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bryan De B'stard
    Favourite Bryan De B'stard
    Report
    Jan 21st 2014, 9:56 PM

    They know when ESB bills are sky-high compared to normal electricity consumption in the area. Also the Garda copter does an odd heat-seeking camera run at night-time and the grow houses show up like a house done up for Christmas.

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute paul byrne
    Favourite paul byrne
    Report
    Jan 22nd 2014, 12:32 PM

    they big grows rob the electricity.i think the gaurds would use the planes more they are cheaper and can take large number of photos from a distance and then be checked back at base

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rick
    Favourite Rick
    Report
    Jan 21st 2014, 9:33 PM

    She’s in her 60′s. It’s only for personal use for the arthritis.

    60
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Fehily
    Favourite Michael Fehily
    Report
    Jan 21st 2014, 9:25 PM

    Its a plot to get Tourists in to Donegal…!!

    55
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aisling Bermingham
    Favourite Aisling Bermingham
    Report
    Jan 23rd 2014, 12:19 AM

    dont need that kinda advertising.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paddy O'Duffy
    Favourite Paddy O'Duffy
    Report
    Jan 21st 2014, 9:17 PM

    Some one has green fingers

    50
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Antonov Merinov
    Favourite Antonov Merinov
    Report
    Jan 21st 2014, 9:25 PM

    Yawnnnnn.

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pinel G
    Favourite Pinel G
    Report
    Jan 21st 2014, 9:29 PM

    Ireland seems to know alot these days on growing Cannabis, is there a course somewhere we don’t know about?

    92
    See 6 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave Dson
    Favourite Dave Dson
    Report
    Jan 21st 2014, 11:12 PM

    We call it the ‘Internet.’ It comes after intercourse in the dictionary. You should give it a go.

    28
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jim
    Favourite Jim
    Report
    Jan 21st 2014, 11:40 PM

    I think it’s a FAS course your looking for

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian Mc Elwaine
    Favourite Brian Mc Elwaine
    Report
    Jan 22nd 2014, 2:12 AM

    Chinese immigrants, thankless trash

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave Dson
    Favourite Dave Dson
    Report
    Jan 22nd 2014, 3:13 AM

    How do you know that they were Chinese ?

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian Mc Elwaine
    Favourite Brian Mc Elwaine
    Report
    Jan 22nd 2014, 4:33 AM

    The news, read first, then comment!

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute paul byrne
    Favourite paul byrne
    Report
    Jan 22nd 2014, 1:21 PM

    just googled how to grow cannabis, just under 9 million hits

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sinead Hanley
    Favourite Sinead Hanley
    Report
    Jan 21st 2014, 10:28 PM

    Ah for goodness sake have the Gardai naff all else to do except chase people for growing a few ould plants.. These “criminals” are harming no one..

    I read a story recently about an old man in Clare being kept hostage for 2 days by a bunch of thugs.. Not a garda in sight.. Think the Gardai should rethink how to use their resources.. They are too busy checking greenhouses

    50
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Declan Byrne
    Favourite Declan Byrne
    Report
    Jan 21st 2014, 10:32 PM

    You said it criminals and yes they are harming people. Unless you have been asleep look at all the gangland killings etc.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gerard Tuohy
    Favourite Gerard Tuohy
    Report
    Jan 21st 2014, 11:24 PM

    not much people getting shot over cannabis that can be grown in the country and the type of addiction that follows,people wont rob strangers,their family or prostitute themselves for money to buy cannabis,its the coke addicts and heroin addicts that are the problem and the source of constant money for criminal gangs,either way woudlnt you think taking that revenue AWAY from criminal gangs and into the governments coffers would be a good idea ?? also callign them criminals proves nothing,its a certainty you’ve been a criminal in your past as was the vast majority of people,its violent criminals and those doing wrong to others that should concern you and cannabis smokers DO NOT do harm to others unlike say drink,should we start rounding up diageo executives ??

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patrick
    Favourite Patrick
    Report
    Jan 21st 2014, 9:39 PM

    That €360,000 is probably really worth 100 yo’s.

    45
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute marty johnbann
    Favourite marty johnbann
    Report
    Jan 21st 2014, 9:49 PM

    Keep it small. Enough for yourself and a few friends.

    40
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Johnson
    Favourite John Johnson
    Report
    Jan 21st 2014, 10:19 PM

    Finally thats it, the war on drugs just been won! Cannabis plants are now extinct!

    38
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute upthepylons
    Favourite upthepylons
    Report
    Jan 21st 2014, 10:43 PM

    Wow! Winner of the most original comment on the journal right here folks.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute UndercoverGarda
    Favourite UndercoverGarda
    Report
    Jan 21st 2014, 11:55 PM

    My sarcasm senses are tingling….

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Science of Beer
    Favourite Science of Beer
    Report
    Jan 21st 2014, 11:35 PM

    This is the 3rd of 4th bust this week, commercial homegrown is here to stay. No matter how many they find they can’t stop the demand so hence there will always be a supply.

    Come on Ming put down the bong and get the issue back on the table.

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cannabis Freedom
    Favourite Cannabis Freedom
    Report
    Jan 22nd 2014, 12:51 AM

    You mean pass the bong and get the issue back on the table? :)

    Fair play to Ming for getting the ball rolling though, it’s now up to the rest of us to show our support and keep the momentum going. We saw how much ‘reefer madness’ nonsense was spouted during the Dail debate back in November, everything from it being a “gateway drug”, to it causing schizophrenia and so on, total bullshit!! As a collective voice we need to speak out in favour of cannabis legalisation whenever we get the opportunity to do so, educate ourselves & others about the positive sides of cannabis, unless the majority of voters demand change, nothing will ever happen and for that to happen they need to understand the truth about cannabis and what cannabis legalisation has to offer.

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Farrelly
    Favourite Michael Farrelly
    Report
    Jan 22nd 2014, 1:32 AM

    The prisons must be filling up with all these cannabis busts.

    What a waste of time and resources.

    20
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mick Jordan
    Favourite Mick Jordan
    Report
    Jan 22nd 2014, 11:55 AM

    The family of latest victim of Drugs Gang violence might say differently about a waste of Garda time. Devoy was a criminal that delt in drugs including cannabis.
    I love they you lot cry about wasting Garda resources by tackling grow houses. Whom do you think is setting them up? Some little old widowed pensioners growing a few plants to supplement their pension? These cannabis factories are set up and controlled by serious and very dangerous criminal gangs. The same criminals you say Gardai should going after. The money they make from Cannabis is their “bread and butter” what they make from heroin and coke gives them their spending money. So next time you go and buy some cannabis of your local dealer ask yourself am I funding some dirtbird criminal. But most you won’t care and buy it anyway and then you will come on here and cry about why the Gardai are not dealing with a “real criminals”.
    And as I have said before lets say the Government did legalize it do you think the criminals would just go away? They would be growing it for export to their associates across Europe in those countries that didn’t Legalize and making even bigger profits from which the could buy even more heroin and coke. And for taxing it. What tax rate should be on it? The same a tobacco or alcohol. They are legal and taxed yet criminals still deal in them. And how is the Government going to monitor who is growing what to tax it? They could only tax commercial farms.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute paul byrne
    Favourite paul byrne
    Report
    Jan 22nd 2014, 12:45 PM

    yes mick i agree. did the bag of money that dutchie holland got for murdering a woman in cold blood have any of my hard earned cash in it, the gang certainly got some. i know go to great lenghts to get non crim. smoke. my defo of that, someone without a gun or access to gun.its not that hard to get and is a lot safer to smoke. and it would be nice paying a pensioner for a bit of ganja they could do with the money

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute LKChristina
    Favourite LKChristina
    Report
    Jan 21st 2014, 9:32 PM

    Or … more job creation for unemployed

    28
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Johner Kelly
    Favourite Johner Kelly
    Report
    Jan 21st 2014, 9:34 PM

    They can seize that stupid hippy drug all they want. Once the white keeps coming in I’m a happy chappy. Mountains of the stuff every wknd me & the burd!

    27
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patricia Ann McCarthy Moore
    Favourite Patricia Ann McCarthy Moore
    Report
    Jan 21st 2014, 9:25 PM

    Sell it to the Saudi Arabians and pay off the National debt. Or is that already happening? What do the Gardai do with the drugs? Investigate. Investigate.

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kevin Higgins
    Favourite Kevin Higgins
    Report
    Jan 21st 2014, 10:12 PM

    There’s death penalties in Saudi for some drug offenses. Be realistic please

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jack Bowden
    Favourite Jack Bowden
    Report
    Jan 21st 2014, 11:29 PM

    It’s tobacco they smoke in those pipes in The Middle East.

    3
    See 3 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kevin Higgins
    Favourite Kevin Higgins
    Report
    Jan 21st 2014, 11:32 PM

    No it’s hash. Mainly in Afghanistan, Morocco, Yemen, Syria , Tunisia etc. not so much Saudi

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jack Bowden
    Favourite Jack Bowden
    Report
    Jan 21st 2014, 11:46 PM

    I was in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE and everywhere locals were smoking these pipes.
    There’s a four year prison sentence if you have cannabis in your blood or in a urine sample.
    It was tobacco they were smoking.

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Andrea Byrne-Gul
    Favourite Andrea Byrne-Gul
    Report
    Jan 24th 2014, 6:18 AM

    It’s tobacco, I lived in the Middle East for 11 yrs.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Iain Danger Drennan
    Favourite Iain Danger Drennan
    Report
    Jan 22nd 2014, 3:04 AM

    ah lads legalize the shtuff ya would make a fortune. Even the yanks are legalizing it and they cant afford to lose brain cells.

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Garry Coll
    Favourite Garry Coll
    Report
    Jan 21st 2014, 10:00 PM

    When interviewed by Gardai, the 60 year old is reported to have asked if being a friend of Wayne Rooney carried any influence.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Farrelly
    Favourite Michael Farrelly
    Report
    Jan 22nd 2014, 1:41 AM

    Jees Mick, 40% of the population favored legislation in the recent Red Sea poll. That was roughly the same % in the US about 5 years ago. But because people became more educated there and saw through the war on drugs propaganda and lies the figure in the US is now 58%.

    If over 50% of people in Ireland wanted this law change ( and it will reach that figure in the near future) would you deny them their democratic right ?

    It has been decriminalized in a number of Euro countries, so your everybody would flock there does not hold up to scrutiny,

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mick Jordan
    Favourite Mick Jordan
    Report
    Jan 22nd 2014, 11:29 AM

    Mick. What age group was interviewed for that RedSea. Poll and how many. I could take a poll about legalization on a University Campus and get 80-90% yes or I could go to the GRA conference and get 90-95% no. Also the question being asked and how it was asked has a bearing. So unless there was an actual poll done by the CSO of every adult in the country with a neutral question you are not going to get an accurate answer.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mick Jordan
    Favourite Mick Jordan
    Report
    Jan 22nd 2014, 1:26 AM

    Legalization is not going to happen in the foreseeable future. That is the simple fact. Banging on about legalization is not going to change it. There was a vote. It lost and lost and disasterously.
    For legalization to be even contemplated there would have to be a 360 degree turn in political thinking across the entire EU. Why? You say. Because if only one country were to legalize it would cause major headaches for the other 26. Plus the fact that every dirtbird criminal from the other 26 would flock here to buy the cheap legal cannabis and smuggle it back to their own country. And as they are criminals they would bring a raft of their own problems with them.
    So for legalization to happen it would have to be simultaneous across the 27 countries. And that is as about as likely as me winning the Euro millions jackpot.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bronwyn Wells
    Favourite Bronwyn Wells
    Report
    Jan 22nd 2014, 3:05 AM

    In Colorado we prefer to think of it as ending prohibition

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gerard Tuohy
    Favourite Gerard Tuohy
    Report
    Jan 22nd 2014, 3:41 AM

    you havent a clue what you are on about,ill sum it up in one word……… HOLLAND

    7
    See 9 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter Carroll
    Favourite Peter Carroll
    Report
    Jan 22nd 2014, 9:09 AM

    Mick …your really off here … Go to the INTERNET…. type in MARAJUANA HYPE …..and look through the myriad of reports,tests,interviews & documentaries about it. Most Gov.sponsored are misleading in their assertion that it’s TOTALLY BAD. What the original report in the US stated was that “FURTHER RESEARCH SHOULD BE DONE ” …. Nobody believes that it doesn’t cause addiction in some people ,,, but so does alcohol & tobacco ,,, they are legal ,, the GOV. taxes them ,,,, but spends an absolute fortune on helping those who get sick from them,,, BUT DRINKING & SMOKING WERE SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE…. go tooth pub, have a few drinks & a smoke with your friends ,,, completely normal & accepted behaviour to everyone unless you were a complete zealot ….. Now smokers are treated as pariahs & it won’t be long before a person that has a few drinks will be the same …. Addiction is addiction …. It doesn’t matter what your addiction is ,,,, drink,, smoke ,,,gambling,,,weed ,,, smack…heroin…coke ….if you want it you will find a way to get it … Have a look at what some ex law enforcement officers say about weed … One retired officer said that he had been called out to numerous DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INCIDENTS in his time on the force where drink, heroin .coke crystal meth were involved BUT NONE WHERE WEED was a factor. When asked why ,he smiled & said WEED SMOKERS WERE JUST TO LAID BACK TO START A FIGHT …HE HAD OVER 25 YEARS EXPERIENCE

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mick Jordan
    Favourite Mick Jordan
    Report
    Jan 22nd 2014, 11:17 AM

    Gerard. Production of Cannabis is NOT legal in Netherlands. And those “Coffee shops” that sell it are only permitted by law to hold a particular amount at any given time. It is also illegal to smoke it outside those shops.
    And look how many of our own criminals are based in the Netherlands. If you talk to Dutch Police they will tell you that the amount of foreign undesirables they are watching and have problems with is staggering.
    So before making comments like HOLLAND do some research.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mick Jordan
    Favourite Mick Jordan
    Report
    Jan 22nd 2014, 11:19 AM

    Peter. One Police Officer. What about the 10′s of thousands that are against it.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter Carroll
    Favourite Peter Carroll
    Report
    Jan 22nd 2014, 11:30 AM

    What about those that tell you that “”"they only enforce the law … NOT MAKE IT”"”

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mick Jordan
    Favourite Mick Jordan
    Report
    Jan 22nd 2014, 11:59 AM

    Again Peter if you were to ask 100 police officers should cannabis be legalized 95 would say no.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute paul byrne
    Favourite paul byrne
    Report
    Jan 22nd 2014, 1:30 PM

    what do you base this figure on quote your source please if you cant you just made up a lie to further your argument. why the lies

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute paul byrne
    Favourite paul byrne
    Report
    Jan 22nd 2014, 1:32 PM

    why did you need to lie if your so right

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mick Jordan
    Favourite Mick Jordan
    Report
    Jan 22nd 2014, 2:01 PM

    Paul. If you are referring to me I deal with Gardai everyday and have regular conversations with foreign Officers regulary.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter Carroll
    Favourite Peter Carroll
    Report
    Jan 22nd 2014, 6:42 PM

    Mick Jordan ….if you asked them OFF THE RECORD ,,as I have done, over 50% , especially the newer ones , admit that they see it as no worse than alcohol …that is if it’s taken in moderation & by somebody of legal age…. I do agree that regulation & taxation would leave it open for abuse but so is diesel , cigarettes ,beer,& anything else that the GOV. taxes to the hilt …80% of the price of a box of smokes is TAX whether it’s VAT or CIGARETTE TAX

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Johner Kelly
    Favourite Johner Kelly
    Report
    Jan 22nd 2014, 6:12 AM

    Mick Jordan is a troll

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Walsh
    Favourite Michael Walsh
    Report
    Jan 22nd 2014, 5:59 AM

    Mick Jordan what continent are you living in?

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tyrone Mac
    Favourite Tyrone Mac
    Report
    Jan 22nd 2014, 12:55 PM

    Bet us not one of them is from Donegal=fact

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute paul byrne
    Favourite paul byrne
    Report
    Jan 22nd 2014, 11:52 AM

    does anyone know how many cannabis plants were discovered last year by the state?

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 0:00
 
1x
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
      News in 60 seconds