Mini phones, drugs and cash seized in prison contraband raids

Gardaí also carried out searches of a number of cells in Mountjoy Prison.

Miniature phones wrapped in insulation tape ready to be sent by drone, controlled drugs including cannabis, cocaine, and tablets, as well as cash and Rolex watch have been seized as part of a investigation carried out into the smuggling of contraband into Irish prisons.

As part of the ongoing investigation into the smuggling of controlled drugs and contraband into Wheatfield, Cloverhill and Mountjoy Prisons, Gardaí carried out searches of properties in Clondalkin, Ballyfermot, Coolock and Tallaght, on Tuesday April 8.

Gardaí also carried out searches of a number of cells in Mountjoy Prison.

The searches were conducted by Gardaí attached to DMR South Serious Crime Unit with assistance from the Dublin Crime Response Team and the Irish Prison Service.

During the searches of these properties, a number of miniature phones wrapped in insulation tape ready to be sent by drone to the prisons were seized.

Controlled drugs including €17,000 cannabis, €5,000 cocaine, €3,000 tablets were also seized.

In addition, €22,000 in cash, a drone, a Rolex watch, mobile phones, financial documents, improvised weapons and drug paraphernalia including weighing scales and bagging equipment were also seized.

"Investigations are ongoing," say gardaí.