Raid: The premise was raided by members of the Garda National Drug Unit and the Criminal Assets Bureau A major Irish drug dealer was yesterday arrested by Gardai after an investigation into sales on an encrypted layer of the internet known as the Darknet.
As a result of an international drug trafficking investigation into sales on the Darknet, a number of dealers were identified operating out of Dublin city.
Following an extensive investigation by the Garda National Drug Unit, detectives identified a secure premises on the South Circular Road, where it was believed this drug distribution operation was based.
Yesterday afternoon members from the Garda National Drug Unit, the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB)and the Computer Crime Investigation Unit (CCIU) raided the premise in Dublin 8.
They discovered ecstasy, LSD and other narcotics worth nearly €200,000.
Two men in their 30s were arrested at the scene. They are being detained at Kevin Street and Kilmainham Garda stations under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996.
Gardai said one of the men arrested is a major figure in the distribution of drugs around Ireland.
Gardai said a crucial part of the raid was the preservation of encrypted data contained on computers. Detectives said a number of computers seized contain extensive information which related to the worldwide distribution of controlled drugs from this premises in Dublin 8.
"With the invaluable assistance of the CAB and CCIU a number of computers were safely retrieved with accessible information immediately at the time of entry on this search," Gardai said.
"At this time analysis is continuing with regard to storage of electro currency (Bitcoin) and CAB have already seized certain currency assets."
In a follow up operation, Gardai seized more drugs and documents that related to offshore bank accounts
"A follow up search in Harolds Cross, Dublin 6 resulted in further small seizure of controlled drugs and documentation in relation to off shore bank accounts in Switzerland, Belize, Poland and a number of other countries.
"The financial investigation in relation to this investigation is continuing with new information still coming to light at this time."
Yesterday's arrest was the result of an international operation codenamed Onymous that involved the FBI and Europol to disrupt the sale of illegal narcotics on the Darknet.
"The fact that such a significant vendor has been arrested in the presence of an encrypted but open computer with address lists for customers all over the world will be of significant interest to many global law enforcement agencies who specialise in Darknet investigations," Gardai said.
