THE son of TV chef Rachel Allen faces a Garda investigation after he was arrested following the seizure of cannabis worth almost €30,000.

The seizure followed a Garda raid after a joint Garda-Revenue operation when a Customs & Excise officer at Portlaoise Mail Centre became concerned about a parcel destined for a specific address in Cork.

In a statement, Rachel Allen said she was "absolutely devastated" at the detention of her son, Joshua (18).

The chef said the family were issuing a statement purely because of the "frenzy of inquiries" in relation to Joshua from the media.

"He has been arrested on suspicion of possession of drugs (marijuana) with intent to supply them to others," she said.

"He has admitted his guilt immediately and co-operated fully with the Gardaí."

"A file has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions and when formally charged Joshua will be pleading guilty at the first opportunity."

"We are absolutely devastated at this turn of events."

"Our son is eighteen years old, has never been in trouble with the Gardaí, and has made a huge mistake, which will have profound consequences for him."

"We do not in any way condone his actions, in fact, we utterly condemn them, but it is not for us to condemn him."

"We must now try to look after our son and our family, the best way we can.

"We would ask that the legal process would be allowed to proceed to deal with this matter, without interference, and that we would be allowed to deal with this, like any other parents, in a similar position."

The Garda raid was ordered amid suspicions over a parcel which had been labelled "clothing."

On Thursday evening, a property in the Shanagarry area was searched by Gardaí on foot of a warrant.

The teen was detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996.

A file on the matter is now being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Online Editors