Gardaí have made significant arrests and seized substantial assets in a raid conducted in north Co Dublin last Monday.
During the operation, authorities confiscated approximately €6.5 million in cryptocurrency, alongside luxury watches and two high-powered vehicles.
The search was part of a broader investigation led by the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau (GNCCB) into illegal activities on darknet markets and associated money laundering involving cryptocurrencies. The Garda Armed Support Unit was also involved in the operation.
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The raid resulted in the arrest of two men, aged 23 and 49, and a woman aged 32. The 23-year-old remains in Garda custody, while the other two have been released pending a file submission to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The cryptocurrency seized includes Bitcoin and Monero, with a combined market value of around €6.5 million.
Additionally, the operation recovered luxury watches worth over €120,000 and two vehicles valued at approximately €220,000.
Superintendent Michael Mullen of the GNCCB emphasized the complexity and significance of the operation, underscoring Ireland’s commitment to tackling criminal activities associated with darknet markets. Mullen assured us that the darknet marketplace targeted during the raid is no longer operational.
“These law enforcement actions highlight our ongoing determination to prevent criminals from profiting from illicit activities and demonstrate An Garda Síochána’s commitment to maintaining Ireland as a secure and law-abiding jurisdiction,” Mullen stated.