Spanish police have unveiled the first images of a clandestine drug lab allegedly operated by notorious Irish criminal John Gilligan, describing it as a ‘Breaking Bad’-style operation capable of producing up to €8 million worth of narcotics. The footage, released on Thursday, shows heavily-armed officers using battering rams to storm a Costa Blanca property in a dramatic dawn raid. Inside, they discovered a refined laboratory and arrested Gilligan, who has been accused of flooding the region’s streets wiht illegal drugs, including the risky pink cocaine known as Tusi.
The raid also uncovered a revolver wrapped in plastic, hidden in an exterior wall hideaway. This discovery echoes Gilligan’s october 2020 arrest at a nearby villa, where a gun linked to the murder of crime reporter Veronica Guerin was found buried in his garden. Gilligan, 72, was remanded in a Costa prison following this latest bust, just 15 months after he admitted to running a Spain-to-Ireland cannabis and sleeping pill smuggling ring and illegally possessing a firearm. In September 2023, he struck a plea deal with prosecutors, receiving a suspended 22-month jail sentence.
Detectives specializing in organized crime revealed that Gilligan’s criminal activity had increased just nine months after he avoided prison. Well-placed sources claim the seized narcotics, including over 16 kilos of pink cocaine, were found at the lab he was allegedly “running.” one source stated, “We beleive the criminal institution, if it hadn’t been smashed, could have produced between 300 and 600 kilos of illegal drugs based on the substances seized at the lab. It’s difficult to say exactly what the drugs’ street value could have been, but we’ve calculated it woudl have been between €4 and €8 million.”
The operation, named Operation Overlord, involved elite Spanish police anti-drug units, including those from Murcia, and the UK’s National Crime Agency. A spokesman for the National Police in Murcia described Gilligan as a member of the “Irish mafia,” stating, “The national Police has dismantled a synthetic drugs lab.Nine people have been arrested,including the leader of the criminal organization,a man belonging to the Irish mafia who had expanded his criminal activities to several parts of the eastern Spanish coast and continually changed homes between the provinces of Murcia and Alicante to hinder his location.”
The two-bed property near Torrevieja, where the lab was discovered, reportedly belonged to Gilligan’s ex-partner, Sharon Oliver. The raid also yielded 2.5 kilos of cocaine,540 litres of precursors for synthetic drugs,and a 75-litre drum of Methylamine,a key ingredient in methamphetamine production. Additionally, police confiscated machinery and instruments used for drug manufacturing.
Key Details of the Operation
Table of Contents
| Detail | Information |
|—————————|———————————————————————————|
| location | Costa Blanca property near torrevieja |
| Arrests | 9 people, including John Gilligan |
| Seized Drugs | 16 kilos of pink cocaine, 2.5 kilos of cocaine, 540 litres of precursors |
| Equipment | Machinery and instruments for drug production |
| Weapons | Revolver hidden in an exterior wall |
| Estimated Street Value| €4-8 million |
This latest arrest underscores Gilligan’s long-standing involvement in organized crime and the ongoing efforts by international law enforcement to dismantle his operations. The discovery of the lab and the scale of the seized narcotics highlight the sophistication of his alleged drug trafficking network, which spanned across Spain and Ireland.
Inside the Gilligan Drug Bust: Expert Insights on the Costa Blanca Operation
In a dramatic dawn raid, Spanish police uncovered a clandestine drug lab allegedly operated by john Gilligan, producing narcotics with an estimated street value of €4-8 million. The operation, reminiscent of the TV series Breaking Bad, has sparked international attention. To delve deeper into this case,we spoke with Dr. Emily Carter, a criminology expert specializing in organized crime, to understand the implications of this bust and Gilligan’s long-standing criminal network.
The Scale of the Operation
Senior Editor: Dr. Carter,the lab discovered in Costa Blanca has been described as highly complex.What does this reveal about gilligan’s drug trafficking network?
Dr. Emily Carter: The lab’s sophistication indicates a well-organized operation with important resources.The machinery and chemicals seized, including methylamine—a key ingredient for methamphetamine—suggest a production capacity far beyond what’s typical for small-scale operations.This aligns with reports that the lab could have produced between 300 and 600 kilos of illegal drugs,highlighting Gilligan’s ability to scale his operations despite previous arrests.
International Collaboration in Law Enforcement
Senior Editor: Operation Overlord involved Spanish and UK law enforcement agencies. How crucial is such international collaboration in tackling organized crime?
dr. Emily Carter: International collaboration is essential in disrupting transnational drug networks. Gilligan’s operations spanned Spain and Ireland, making it imperative for agencies like Spain’s National Police and the UK’s National Crime Agency to work together. This joint effort not only led to the raid but also dismantled a significant part of his network, showcasing the power of cross-border cooperation in combating organized crime.
Gilligan’s Criminal History and Strategies
Senior Editor: Gilligan has a notorious history, including ties to the murder of journalist Veronica Guerin. How does his past inform his current strategies?
Dr. Emily Carter: Gilligan’s criminal career is marked by adaptability and resilience. After avoiding prison in 2023, he quickly resumed operations, shifting locations between Murcia and Alicante to evade detection. His use of trusted associates, like his ex-partner Sharon Oliver, and the concealment of a revolver in an exterior wall, demonstrate his continued reliance on secrecy and evasion tactics. His ability to maintain such a network despite scrutiny is a testament to his experience in organized crime.
The Impact on Drug Trafficking in the Region
Senior Editor: What impact will this bust have on drug trafficking in the Costa Blanca region and beyond?
Dr. Emily Carter: this operation is a significant blow to the drug trade in Costa Blanca and the wider region. The seizure of over 16 kilos of pink cocaine, precursors, and equipment disrupts supply chains and reduces availability on the streets. However, the void left by Gilligan’s network could lead to power struggles among rival groups. Law enforcement must remain vigilant to prevent new players from filling the gap.
Conclusion
The John Gilligan drug bust underscores the ongoing battle against organized crime and the importance of international cooperation in dismantling sophisticated narcotics networks. As Dr. Emily Carter highlighted, while this operation marks a significant victory, the fight against drug trafficking remains a complex and evolving challenge. The case serves as a reminder of the resilience of criminal networks and the relentless efforts required to combat them.
