Cash found hidden in car

Cocaine and cash was seized during a checkpoint on the motorway outside Fermoy this week, gardaí have confirmed.

Gardaí first stopped and searched a car at 1.30pm on Tuesday and found €31,000 in cash hidden in the vehicle.

Both occupants of the car were brought to Fermoy Garda Station for the purpose of a search but were not arrested and the investigation is ongoing.

The checkpoint involved gardaí from the divisional roads policing unit, detectives from Fermoy and the armed support unit.

Speaking at Fermoy Garda Station, Chief Superintendent Thomas Myers said: “Our roads policing units throughout the country are trying to reduce the deaths on our roads by enforcing road traffic legislation and raising awareness of road safety though school talks and our social media accounts.

“But the roads policing units are also there to deny criminals the use of the road network and gather intelligence. They play a vital role in keeping our communities safe,” he added.

Second seizure

Separately, gardaí stopped and searched a second car shortly after 2pm which was found to contain €8,500 worth of suspected cocaine.

The suspected drugs were seized and will now be sent for analysis and both occupants of the car, aged in their 20s and 50s, were arrested and brought to Fermoy Garda Station.

The driver of the car, the man in his 20s, also failed a roadside drug test.

Both men were still being detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drugs Trafficking) Act, 1996 as of going to print.

Both incidents are not believed to be related.