Six arrests for drugs offences on first day of Rag Week

Rag week events are currently underway at the TUS technological university, but the week started off on the wrong foot for six young people who were arrested for drugs offences.

The arrests took place in Athlone on Monday afternoon. Two males were arrested for having cocaine for sale or supply, while four others were arrested for having drugs for their own use.

Sergeant Andrew Haran said the two 'sale or supply' arrests involved males in their early 20s. They were arrested separately in the Kilmacoo Lane area, near Willow Park.

The pair were both "local to Athlone" and were said to have been in possession of "small amounts of drugs for sale or supply."

After being detained and charged at Athlone Garda Station on Monday, they were released on bail and are due to appear before the town's district court on Wednesday, March 9.

Sergeant Haran said the four other drugs arrests involved males who were found with illegal substances for their own use.

He said two of these had cannabis resin, and would be considered for an adult caution. The two others had cocaine and are expected to be given a court date.

"Broadly speaking, the procedure is that if you're caught with a small amount of cannabis resin, and you've never been in trouble before with drug offences, you may be entitled to a caution.

"Two of these people will be considered for a caution, and two were caught with cocaine, which is not covered by that (caution) scheme, so they will end up in court," said Sergeant Haran.