Teen due in Children’s Court over shotgun and drugs worth €177k found ‘in wasteland’

He is due to appear before Dublin's Children's Court, Dublin 7 this morning Thursday May 9 at 10.30am

The youngster was charged in relation to the seizure of cocaine, cannabis and the firearm that took place in Blanchardstown with further searches taking place on Wednesday.

The boy had been arrested at the scene and was detained under Section 30 Offenses Against the State Act, 1939 at a Garda Station in North Dublin.

Gardaí initially uncovered suspected cocaine with an estimated value of €59,500.

Following that find, a second search was conducted in the same deserted area.

During this search, suspected cocaine with an estimated value of €52,500 as well as €5,400 of cannabis and the sawn off shotgun were found.

“The drugs and firearm seized will be sent for further examination. Investigations are ongoing,” gardaí stated.

"This seizure forms part of Operation Tara; an enhanced national anti-drugs strategy, which was launched by Garda Commissioner Drew Harris on 2nd July 2021.

“The focus of Operation Tara is to disrupt, dismantle and prosecute drug trafficking networks, at all levels - international, national, local - involved in the importation, distribution, cultivation, production, local sale and supply of controlled drugs,” gardaí added.