Auction of gold bullion seized by An Garda Síochána raises €1.8 million

A series of online auctions of gold bullion seized by An Garda Síochána has raised more than €1.8 million on behalf of the state.

The 18.8kgs (approx) of gold was forfeited to the state as a result of a drug trafficking and money laundering investigations carried out by the Dublin Crime Response Team (DCRT).

The sale forms part of continued efforts to disrupt organised criminal activity by removing the financial benefits of crime.

The net proceeds of the auction will be returned to the exchequer.

The various quantities of gold, offered in a selection of coins and bars, were sold over a series of online auctions since January 2026.

The auctions were facilitated by Wilsons Auctions, and were open to the public.

The totals obtained for the gold are:

Auction 1 €456,395

Auction 2 €500,430

Auction 3 €438,265

Auction 4 €408,720

Total. €1,803,810

Detective Inspector Ken Holohan, based in Dublin Metropolitan (DMR), said: "Recovering and returning the proceeds of crime is a key part of disrupting organised criminal activity. This auction ensures that seized assets are processed transparently, with all funds ultimately going back to the State where they belong."