Irish prison locked down during raid that seized huge haul of almost 40 phones, drugs and guns

The Irish Prison Service seized nearly 40 phones, drugs and weapons following an isolation raid on Dublin’s Wheatfield Prison on Thursday evening.

An intelligence operation carried out in the prison resulted in the discovery of 24 phones, including top-end iPhones, by prison staff.

Additional resources from the Operational Support Group were deployed to the prison to facilitate the isolation and general search.

As a result, an additional 13 mobile phones, five guns and a significant amount of drugs were seized.

In a statement, the Irish Prison Service said: “Today, 24 October 2024, 24 mobile phones were seized following an intelligence operation at Wheatfield Prison. Additional resources nationally from the Operational Support Group were deployed to Wheatfield Prison to facilitate the quarantine and general search of the Prison, resulting in the seizure of an additional 13 mobile phones, 5 guns and a significant quantity of drugs.

“The Irish Prison Service continues to engage at a high level and share regular intelligence with An Garda Síochána; this results in significant disruptions to organized crime relating to the seizure of contraband, arrests and the smuggling of contraband into Irish Prisons.

“An Garda Síochána continues to support the Irish Prison Service operationally with ongoing operations in each relevant Garda Division, including Operation Throw in the DMR West Garda Division supporting the Irish Prison Service at Cloverhill and Wheatfield Prisons.

“Operations such as Operation Launch aim to disrupt, interdict and prosecute attempts to smuggle contraband into prisons.

“The Irish Prison Service is committed to preventing contraband from entering prisons and remains a high priority for the Irish Prison Service. The Irish Prison Service is committed to continuing to invest in new technologies and measures to support our efforts to keep trafficking out of prisons.

“Prison staff have increased their use of random and intelligence-driven cell searches on a daily basis. Our Canine Unit carries out searches in prisons, including a greater focus on searching deliveries sent to prisons.

“The free confidential telephone line (1800 855 717) and the text message line (086 180 2449) are operational. “Prisoners, visitors, staff or members of the public who have information about the smuggling of prohibited substances in our prisons can convey this information in the strictest confidence.”