Gardaí in Co Carlow carried out a targeted one-day operation last week which resulted in the arrests of over a dozen people and the seizure of drugs valued at €14,000.
Operation Thor’s ‘Project Safe’ held on Tuesday 9 May included targeted arrests, planned searches, crime prevention messages, warrant executions, community engagements and road safety checkpoints/patrols. There were 13 arrests carried out for a wide range of offences including drugs, theft, assault and drug driving. Six of these individuals have been charged with offences and will appear in Carlow District Court on later dates which investigations continue on the remaining cases. Seven premises were searched in the county and seizures were made of suspected cannabis herb with an estimated street value of €13,000 and suspected amphetamine with an estimated street value of €1,200.
A large quantity of cash which is believed to be the proceeds of crime was also discovered by gardaí.
The Carlow Roads Policing Unit supported by colleagues within the Waterford Kilkenny Carlow Division have conducted targeted focused checkpoints. A number of road traffic offences were detected during the course of these said checkpoints including one person being arrested on suspicions of drug driving. Representatives from Customs accompanied and assisted An Garda Síochána while conducting these checkpoints also.
Another aspect of the day was crime prevention awareness. Crime Prevention Officer Sergeant Peter McConnon and the Community Policing Unit were present in the Fairgreen Shopping Centre where an information stand was established. Information regarding personal safety, home safety and advice regarding recent fraud scams were discussed with members of the public and literature was distributed.
Superintendent Anthony Farrell commented that the overarching aim of operation is not only to reduce crime but also the fear of crime in the community. He said garda actions to keep people safe are ongoing and the day of action under umbrella of Operation Thor ‘Project Safe’ is one dimension to that strategy.
