Gardaí have released details of progress made by Operation Copóg, a special taskforce set up to target drug dealing and antisocial behaviour in the St Mary's Park area of Limerick.
Following complaints from concerned residents in the area, the taskforce was established in March by Limerick City and County Council and An Garda Siochána, with four dedicated community Gardaí assigned to the locale.
Addressing members of the Limerick Joint Policing Committee, Chief Superintendent Gerard Roche provided details of the progress that has been made by the operation to date.
Under anti drugs legislation, 200 people and 16 properties have been searched since March, with Roche saying "There has been a significant number of searches and detections for both simple possession of controlled drugs and possession of controlled drugs for sale and supply."
Two individuals, believed to be part of an organised crime gang operating in the St. Mary's Park area, have been arrested and charged, while a number of people have been arrested and charged following an incident of violent disorder.
19 vehicles have been seized by the taskforce, and the local authority has demolished a number of vacant properties in St. Mary's Park.
Cash has been seized under money laundering legislation.
Roche said St. Mary's Park "continues to be monitored and patrolled on a regular basis."
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