Irish authorities have seized approximately 5kg of cocaine worth an estimated €500,000 after the drugs were found hidden inside lollipops in a passenger’s baggage at Dublin Airport.
Revenue officers discovered the cocaine on Thursday, September 10, while searching the luggage of a passenger who had arrived on a flight originating in Brazil. The drugs had been concealed inside lollipops packed among bags of confectionery.
The airport discovery was followed by further searches by Gardaí, who seized €16,000 in cash and additional controlled drugs valued at approximately €14,500. A man in his 60s was arrested and later charged in connection with the case.
5kg of cocaine discovered inside lollipops
The seizure began when Revenue officers stopped and searched the passenger’s baggage after the traveller arrived at Dublin Airport from Brazil.
During the inspection, officers found cocaine concealed inside lollipops. Authorities estimated the total quantity at about 5kg and placed its value at approximately €500,000.
Images released following the seizure showed several brightly coloured bags of sweets arranged as evidence. One opened lollipop revealed a white powder concealed beneath its outer shell.
There has been no indication that ordinary commercially sold lollipops or confectionery available to consumers are affected. The discovery relates specifically to items found in the passenger’s baggage.
€16,000 cash and additional drugs seized
Gardaí carried out follow-up searches after the airport interception and recovered €16,000 in cash.
Officers also seized a further quantity of various controlled drugs with an estimated value of €14,500. Authorities have not publicly released a detailed breakdown of those additional substances.
The follow-up haul is separate from the approximately 5kg of cocaine valued at €500,000 discovered inside the lollipops.
Man in his 60s charged after airport seizure
A man aged in his 60s was arrested in connection with the investigation and subsequently charged. He appeared before a court on Friday, September 11.
The case has now entered the Irish court process, while investigations remain ongoing. Authorities have not publicly confirmed whether further suspects are being investigated or provided additional details about the intended distribution of the cocaine.
The charges remain allegations and do not establish guilt unless proven through the legal process.
Dublin Airport remains a focus for drug interceptions
The discovery comes amid continued efforts by Irish customs and police to stop controlled drugs moving through international passenger routes.
On August 9, Revenue officers at Dublin Airport seized approximately 29kg of herbal cannabis and 6kg of crystal methamphetamine concealed in vacuum-packed packages inside passenger baggage. The drugs, found after a passenger arrived on a flight originating in Canada, were valued at more than €950,000.
An official Irish Revenue statement on the August Dublin Airport seizure said such operations form part of continuing efforts targeting organised crime groups and the importation, sale and supply of illegal drugs.
Airport baggage has also featured in trafficking investigations overseas. A separate Montréal airport drug-trafficking investigation involving Air Canada employees followed the interception of cocaine and cannabis as investigators examined alleged movement of luggage through restricted airport areas. That Canadian case is unrelated to the Dublin seizure.
Drug seizures can also lead to wider police searches away from airports. In another unrelated case, a Tasmania cocaine seizure on the Bass Highway resulted in charges after police allegedly found around one kilogram of cocaine during a traffic stop and later searched a property.
Lollipop concealment makes the Dublin case unusual
The latest Dublin Airport case has drawn particular attention because of the way the cocaine was disguised. Rather than being carried as an obvious package, the drugs were concealed within colourful confectionery found in passenger luggage.
The method adds another example to the varied concealment techniques border authorities encounter when screening international baggage. Irish Revenue has reported multiple significant drug interceptions at Dublin Airport during 2026, involving passengers arriving from different countries.
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Investigation continues after court appearance
For now, the confirmed Dublin seizures include approximately 5kg of cocaine valued at €500,000, €16,000 in cash and additional controlled drugs worth about €14,500.
Authorities have not disclosed who supplied the cocaine, whether it was intended for distribution solely in Ireland or whether other people were involved. Any further developments will depend on confirmed information released by Gardaí, Revenue or through the court proceedings.
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