Breaking: Further drugs haul found off Ards

Gardai are now conducting a major multi-million euro drug-trafficking probe in Donegal after a further parcel of cocaine was located washed up off the coast on Thursday.

The latest package containing suspected cocaine was found close to Ards.

It is now believed that the total haul of drugs located could worth around €4 million. Samples have been sent to Forensic Science Ireland for formal analysis.

Detectives from Milford Garda Station are leading the probe, assisted by Garda Air Support Unit and the Garda Water Unit.

After two packages were found on Wednesday morning, a major investigation was launched.

A Garda Water Unit ribs combed the waters off the coast at Downings in Sheephaven Bay for several hours late in Thursday morning and into the early afternoon.

Officers relocated around Horn Head and to Tramore Beach in Dunfanaghy where one of the initial packages was located on Wednesday morning.

Separate parcels were found by unsuspecting walkers on Ballyhiernan Beach, Fanad and on Tramore.

The drugs were packed into bales, encased in black plastic wrapping. One eye-witness said one of the packages was ‘the size of a suitcase’.

Gardai are believed to have been monitoring the potential trafficking of illegal drugs into the county in recent days with investigating officers said to have been trained on marine vessels in the Atlantic Ocean.

Gardai believe the packages were discarded from one such vessel.

Officers believe further parcels could be located and have appealed to the public for their assistance.

A spokesperson said: “An Garda Síochána in Milford are appealing to landowners in the Fanad Head area with coastal land and/ or any persons using the North Donegal Coastline over the coming days to be conscious of the packages that have been recovered today. 

"Any person who sees any similar package or any other marine debris that attracts their attention to contact An Garda Síochána at the investigation team at Milford Garda Station 074 9153060, their local Garda station or the Garda Confidential Phone number 1800 666 111.”