BREAKING: Large drugs seizure after driver hits garda car 'head on'

Quantities of cocaine, ecstasy and MDMA drugs were seized from car which was driven head on into a garda patrol car. 

As part of Operation Tara, gardaí in Newbridge arrested a man and seized in excess of €102,000 worth of drugs during an operation in Newbridge, Co. Kildare on the evening of Friday 14th July, 2023.

At approximately 10.30pm, Gardaí attempted to stop a vehicle in Newbridge, Co. Kildare when the driver of the vehicle struck the patrol car head on. Both the male driver and front passenger fled the scene on foot while Gardaí arrested one male back seat passenger. No persons received injuries as a result of the collision.

The male, aged in his late 20s, was arrested and taken to a Garda station in Kildare where he is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.

Gardaí searched the vehicle and a quantity of cocaine, ecstacy and MDMA drugs were located with an estimated street value of €25,590 along with €2,000 in cash.

In a follow up search, in the early hours of this morning, Saturday 15th July at a residential property in Newbridge, a quantity of cocaine and cannabis drugs with an estimated street value of €77,000 was seized. A number of designer clothes, designer watches and 4 sports cars were also seized.

All the drugs seized will be sent to Forensic Science Ireland for analysis.