Man arrested after 10.6m euro worth of cocaine discovered hidden in lorry

A 60-year-old man has been arrested after 10.6 million euro worth of cocaine was discovered in a lorry in Co Kilkenny.

Gardai found 152 kilograms of cocaine in a “sophisticated vehicle concealment” after the heavy goods vehicle was stopped on the M9 shortly after 10am on Tuesday.

Searches were also carried out at two business premises and a residential address in Waterford by gardai from the National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau and Waterford Drug and Crime Units.

The man was arrested in relation to facilitating and enhancing drug distribution activities for an organised crime group and is currently detained at a garda station in the eastern region.

The operation was supported by Revenue Customs Service, the Garda Dog Unit and the Stolen Motor Vehicle Investigation Unit.

Following the operation, assistant commissioner Angela Willis, who is in charge of organised and serious crime, said: “This is a further example of An Garda Siochana’s commitment to target the enablers and facilitators of organised crime.

“The recently published European Union Serious and Organised Crime Threat Assessment (EU-SOCTA 2025) highlights that serious and organised crime undermines the very foundations of political, economic and social cohesion and stability through illicit proceeds, the perpetuation of violence and the extension of corruption.

“I thank the public for their support and encourage everybody to play their part.”

Gardai said that the investigation is ongoing.