Court appearance for Westmeath drug accused

Gardaí have charged the man aged in his 40s arrested in connection with the seizure of over €165,000 cannabis and cocaine.

The accused is due to appear before a special sitting of Galway District Court this evening, Friday, August 29, 2025 at 6pm.

The court appearance follows the seizure of over €165,000 cannabis and cocaine and following searches in Galway and Westmeath on Wednesday evening.

As part of a joint operation between Galway and Westmeath Drugs Units, Gardaí stopped a van on the Old Ballybane Road in Galway city at approximately 7:00pm.

Gardaí conducted a search of the vehicle and discovered approximately €35,000 cocaine (subject to analysis).

The driver, a male in his 40s, was arrested and is currently detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996 at a Garda station in the North Western Region.

Simultaneously, a search warrant was executed at a residence in Athlone, Westmeath which resulted in the seizure of approximately €80,000 cannabis herb, €11,400 cannabis resin and a further €40,000 cocaine. A hydraulic press and other drug paraphernalia was also seized.

The drugs seized will be forwarded to Forensic Science Ireland for full analysis.

Investigations are ongoing.