Second man arrested in Sligo organised crime investigation

Gardaí investigating the activities of an organised crime group based in Co Sligo have arrested a second man, following an initial arrest in the case earlier this month.

While the investigation into the gang was ongoing, another man has already been charged with related offences.

The second suspect was arrested by gardaí on Tuesday in the latest of phase of what gardaí termed an “investigation into organised crime” in the county.

The man, who is in his 20s, was arrested in Co Galway and taken to Sligo Garda station where he was still being questioned on Wednesday evening.

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He was being detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, which allows for suspects allegedly involved in organised crime to be held for up to seven days without charge.

Earlier this month, a man was arrested in the east of the country in connection with the same investigation and on suspicion of being involved in organised crime. He was taken to Sligo Garda station where he was detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act.

Detectives believe the first man arrested was preparing to travel abroad when he was apprehended and taken in for questioning.

The investigation into the Sligo-based suspects forms part of a long-term effort by the Garda and Revenue’s Customs officers to target a number of drugs gangs operating in Sligo Town and county.

Gardaí have uncovered evidence and some have established links with much larger Dublin-based gangs and with drugs suppliers overseas.

They also believe some of the gangs have proven adept at sourcing large quantities of drugs from abroad as well as smuggling the proceeds of drug dealing out of the country and laundering other sums of money.

Detectives investigating organised drug dealing in Sligo believe there are at least five significant drug dealing gangs operating in the county, with all of the groups now under investigation.