It is just the latest blow against Ireland’s biggest drugs gang after the same mob were linked to almost €25 million worth of cocaine that were seized in two separate busts at Rosslare Europort earlier this month.
This week’s seizure is just one of over a dozen major operations against the gang by gardai so far this year but the gang remain the biggest players in Ireland’s lucrative cocaine market.
The seized drugs
News in 90 Seconds, Wednesday, October 29
“As part of Operation TARA and ongoing investigations targeting organised crime, personnel attached to the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau conducted a search operation at a residential address and lands in the Laois area on Tuesday 28th October 2025,” gardai said in a statement last night.
“During the course of this operation 116 kilos of suspected Cocaine (subject to Analysis) valued at approximately €8.1 million was recovered along with a number of electronic devices. “One male (aged in his 30s) was arrested pursuant to Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 and he is currently detained, pursuant to the provisions of Section 50 of Criminal Justice Act 2007, at a Laois Garda Station.
“The drugs seized will be forwarded to Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) for analysis,” they added.
The gang are suspected of controlling two military style” assault rifles and over €770,000 worth of drugs which were seized in a planned operation in north Co Dublin in August.
Its leader who is aged in his 40’s and cannot be named here for legal reasons as he is facing serious charges before the courts.
The convicted drug dealer was refused permission by the courts to leave the country on a family holiday at the start of the summer.
Last year gardai were involved in infiltrating of the Ghost encrypted platform in which the ‘ Family’ gang were one of the main targets and 12 arrests were made here and Spain in March as part of that investigation.
The gang boss was one of those arrested before being released without charge in that case.
More arrests are expected and a file is being prepared for the DPP in relation to the ‘Ghost’ investigation.
The gang mostly profit from cocaine and cannabis, but are also major heroin importers, which yields less profit but has a specific market.
After being questioned for over four days in relation to serious organised crime offences, the six arrested in Ireland were released without charge.
Those released include three brothers – including the gang’s leader, as well as the crime outfit’s “tech expert” and a veteran criminal from the southeast of the country.
The Family’s “tech expert” is suspected of selling secret communication devices to them. But he is in his own right suspected of involvement in the drugs trade.
It was information from the Ghost-encrypted platform when it was infiltrated by the gardai last September that led Irish and European investigators, with the support of Europol, to work together to attempt take down the gang.
The seized drugs
However since the major arrest operation sources say the gang continue to be “highly active” and it continues to be “business as usual for them.”
They are suspects for organising an arson attack at a location in Leinster in April in which two large trucks and a Mercedes car were burnt in a sinister early morning incident.
Gardai have been investigating if the arson attack is linked to a high profile drugs seizure in the south east just days earlier linked to ‘The Family.’
Following Tuesday’s operation, Detective Chief Superintendent Seamus Boland, Head of the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, said: “An Garda Síochána will continue to focus our resources on those who collaborate with and facilitate organised crime.
“We are determined to continue dismantling drug trafficking routes into Ireland and will continue doing our part to keep our communities safer. Please think before you use”.