'Tempest': Gardai arrested dozens of suspected drug dealers this week More than 20 suspected drug dealers have appeared in court today after a number of raids by gardai in the capital on Tuesday.
A six-month covert operation code-named 'Tempest' resulted in the raids on Tuesday morning on the north side of Dublin's inner city.
The suspects appeared at Dublin District Criminal Court before Judge Denis McLoughlin charged with various drug offences.
Gardai said the majority of the accused were charged with dealing drugs, mostly heroin, cocaine and cannabis, to undercover gardai in the city.
The operation was organised after concerned residents on Dublin's north inner city raised concerns over the sale of drugs in the area.
Chief Superintendent Pat Leahy said the gardai consulted the community over their concerns and that the steady rise of drugs was the main one.
"Very early on, it became apparent to us that of the top three issues, drug-dealing came out as one of them," he said.
After six months of undercover work the gardai arrested what they believe are committed drug dealers in the community.
All of the suspects, except one female, who appeared today were remanded on bail and are due back in court on October 2.
The female - who is accused of selling drugs on five separate occasions - told the court she was to be on holiday in Lanzarote on October 2 and that she would be back the following week.
She asked for legal aid but was told by the judge that if she could afford a holiday in Spain she could afford a lawyer.
