Polish-led ‘violence as a service’ crime gang owned arsenal of guns seized in Midlands
Irish authorities have dismantled a Polish-led organized crime gang that operated a 'violence as a service' business model. A major raid resulted in the seizure of military-grade firearms and significant quantities of illicit drugs.
Why it matters
The emergence of 'violence as a service' models represents a dangerous evolution in organized crime, allowing smaller gangs to outsource intimidation and enforcement.
An organised crime gang led by a senior crime boss from Poland , running a “violence as a service” operation, owns an arsenal of military grade guns found in the Republic.
The operation over the weekend resulted in one of the most significant seizures of guns from any organised crime group in Ireland for more than a decade.
Searches carried out at six locations in Laois and Kildare between last Friday and Sunday uncovered 11 firearms – including three machine guns and eight pistols. Some of the guns were loaded, with other ammunition also seized as well as silencers and telescopic sights.
Gardaí also seized a variety of illicit drugs – heroin, cocaine and cannabis – valued at €700,000, though the seizure of the firearms is regarded as far more significant.
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