A SERVING GARDA arrested yesterday as part of an investigation into a large quantity of drugs going missing from a locker in a Garda station has been released without charge.

In a statement released today, An Garda Síochána said the Garda was suspended from duty immediately after being released.

Five other people, who are not garda members, were arrested on related matters and have since been released.

Yesterday the Garda member was arrested in a town in Leinster by members of the Anti-Corruption Unit.

Sources have said that the probe focuses on an incident at a station in which a large quantity of seized drugs went missing in January 2024.

Detective Gardaí from the Eastern Region, supported by the Garda Anti-Corruption Unit, Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, and Regional Garda Cyber Crime Bureau carried out a number of searches and arrests in relation to organised crime in the region yesterday.

An Garda Síochána said they are continuing to investigate all the circumstances surrounding the alleged unauthorised removal. The investigations are being led by a Senior Investigating Officer from the Eastern Region.

Files will be prepared for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

With additional reporting from Niall O’Connor