A GARDA swoop resulted in the arrest of 34 people in Kilmallock this Tuesday (November 26).
The intelligence-led operation was supported by Limerick Divisional Roads Policing Unit, the Regional Armed Support Unit, and Gardaí from the Clare and Tipperary divisions, along with Customs and Revenue, the Department of Social Protection, and the Limerick City and County Council dog warden.
The operation included detecting and preventing theft, fraud, and organised retail crime offences; enforcement of road traffic legislation; and control of dogs legislation targeting the possession of controlled breeds.
As part of the operation, which involved over 40 Gardaí, a residential property was searched and four multi-agency checkpoints were conducted.
A total of 34 people were arrested for various alleged offences, including outstanding bench warrants and three arrests under Operation Tairge – a nationwide campaign targeting organised retail crime.
One vehicle was detected by customs with green diesel and a fine was levied.
One pit-bull dog was seized by Limerick City and County Council.
Three men arrested in connection with the operation were detained pursuant to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at Garda stations in the County Limerick and County Tipperary areas.
Gardaí said that investigations following the massive swoop of arrests are ongoing.
Organised retail crime typically refers to situations where a number of persons are acting together to target retailer outlets to steal significant quantities of goods to resell on the black market. It can also involve refund fraud.
Gardaí say that ORC is usually co-ordinated and well organised by people who recruit others to commit theft from retailers. It can sometimes involve an international dimension, therefore, Gardaí say, the Operation Tairge co-ordination group is maintaining its close working relationships with international counterparts.
