Gardaí in Laois seize ‘illegal mobile pharmacy’

DRUGS and a knuckle-duster were found by Laois gardaí when they searched a van they dubbed ‘a mobile pharmacy’.

A wooden bat and deal bags of cocaine and cannabis were also uncovered in the vehicle, which was being driven by a learner who tested positive for drugs.

The van was stopped by gardaí on patrol in Borris-in-Ossory after the driver did an illegal U-turn, cutting off another motorist.

According to gardaí, the van was in such poor condition that ‘it stood out before it even moved’.

The driver tested positive for cocaine and cannabis and proved to be an unaccompanied learner permit holder with no insurance. The van, whose left wing mirror was hanging off, had no certificate of roadworthiness.

A search of the van uncovered a wooden bat, a knuckle-duster and deal bags of suspected cocaine and cannabis, with an estimated street value of €850. The suspected drugs will be sent to Forensic Science Ireland for analysis.

In a social media post today titled ‘Illegal Mobile Pharmacy: Closed for Business’, gardaí confirmed that the driver was arrested and the vehicle was seized.

The van was pulled in by members of the Laois Roads Policing Unit (RPU), who were out on patrol in the Borris-in-Ossory area.

Posting a series of pictures from the scene on the An Garda Síochána Laois Offaly Facebook page, gardaí said: ‘Laois RPU had their attention drawn to a van in such a poor state of repair it stood out before it even moved.

‘Things didn’t improve when this driver carried out an illegal U-turn, cutting off another road user in the process. Once stopped, the situation quickly went from bad to worse ...’ 

The driver is expected to face court proceedings for a series of road traffic and drug offences.