A person has been arrested in Waterford in relation to the activities of an organised crime gang.
The person was detained this week as Garda Operation Storm was underway in the city and county.
It saw an increased Garda presence locally, with a high number of planned searches, checkpoints, and arrests carried out.
"As part of a planned operation," Waterford Detective Sergeant Mick Bourke told WLR News, "a suspect was arrested on suspicion of committing an offence of enhancing and facilitating an organised crime gang.
"This formed part of an overall investigation into alleged offences of email invoice redirect fraud, money laundering and other fraud-related offences.
"Assistance was provided through our local dectives and our colleagues in the national units, including GNECB, Europol, and the Garda Passenger Information Unit."
Drugs seized
Thousands of euro worth of drugs were also seized during searches, as Detective Sergeant Bourke outlined:
"The Divisional Drugs Unit searched a number of premises for possession of drugs for sale and supply, cultivation, and simple possession.
"Approximately €20,000 work of controlled drugs were seized throughout the division, as a result of this operation.
"A number of Operation Thor [which is a larger operation that takes place across different South East divisions] targets were arrested and charged with theft and other related offences.
"People were also arrested in respect of bench-warrants that were outstanding from the district court."
Workplaces searched
Immigration officers attached to the division, with the assistance of the Workplace Relations Commission and Revenue, carried out a number of work-related inspections at locations in Waterford City.
"I can say that inquiries in relation to these are ongoing and continuing," according Det. Sergeant Bourke.
"Throughout the week, high visibility and multi-agency checkpoints were also conducted, with the assistance of the RSA, Customs, and Social Welfare Officers."
In total, more than 30 people were arrested over the course of the Operation, which ran from Monday until Wednesday evening.
