Candy Cloud company director Qasim Rasool and his brother Ahsan
Last Updated on 13 July 2026 by Watchdog Witness
Introduction: A High Street Front for a Multi-Million Euro Drug Operation
On the surface, Candy Cloud was just another vape shop. With locations across Ireland in Longford, Castlebar, Drogheda, and Carlow, it appeared to be a legitimate business catering to the growing market for vaping products . But behind the shop fronts and the displays of seemingly innocuous products, Gardaí and Revenue officers believe they uncovered something far more sinister: a sophisticated drug trafficking operation worth an estimated €2 million .
This is the story of the Rasool brothers – Qasim and Ahsan – who now face criminal charges that could see them spend years behind bars. It is a story of alleged greed, deception, and a calculated attempt to profit from a dangerous and illegal trade.
The Raid: How the Operation Unfolded
The operation was part of Operation Tara, the enhanced national anti-drugs strategy launched by the Garda Commissioner in July 2021. It targeted drug trafficking networks at every level, from international importation down to local sale and supply .
Working as a coordinated unit, the Garda National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) , Revenue Customs officers, and regional drug units identified a number of business premises involved in the sale of illegal vape products .
Searches were conducted across two days – July 2 and July 8, 2026 – at five business premises and two residential addresses in Longford, Castlebar, Drogheda, and Carlow .
What they found was staggering.
The Seizure: “Massive, Massive Quantities”
Inside these premises, officers discovered what the court later described as “massive, massive quantities” of products containing controlled drugs . The haul included:
- Cannabis-infused jellies (edibles)
- Cannabis oil-infused vapes
- “Reefer” cigarettes containing HHC and THC
The total estimated street value of the drugs seized was in excess of €2 million .
The Longford warehouse – described in court as “a central storage hub” for the Candy Cloud shops – yielded the majority of the products . Significantly, investigators also found two cash-counting machines and €4,000 in cash during the searches.
Gardaí stated their belief that “there are large amounts of cash which may have yet to be recovered” .
The Brothers in the Dock
Brothers Qasim and Ahsan Rasool leaving Longford District Court for Castlerea Prison
Following the raids, two men were arrested . The men – Qasim Rasool (31) and Ahsan Rasool, brothers residing at 4 Cloverwell, Edgeworthstown, Longford – were brought before a special sitting of Longford District Court .
The court heard that the brothers are dual Irish-Pakistani citizens . Each faces two charges:
The prosecution offered a stark picture of the scale of the alleged offending.
Qasim Rasool: The Director and Importer
Appearing first before Judge Michael Connellan was the younger brother, Qasim Rasool. Prosecuting Sergeant Edel Cadam told the court that during his interviews with Gardaí, Qasim “made admissions with regard to the role of sourcing and the importation of controlled drugs into the jurisdiction” .
It was alleged by Gardaí that Qasim Rasool was the company director and leaseholder of the premises that were searched . In the Candy Cloud shop on Longford’s Main Street, Gardaí discovered cannabis products on display and available for purchase .
Ahsan Rasool: The “Active and Constant Contributor”
Next to appear was the older brother, Ahsan Rasool. Garda David Gerrity told the court that Ahsan was “listed as the director of Greenbrothers Candy Cloud until April 2026” , after which the directorship was transferred to Qasim .
“It is the suspicion of the Gardaí that the brothers are operating these businesses together and that Ahsan Rasool is an active and constant contributor to this operation.”
The court also heard details of the investigation, including that products sold in the shop and online had been confirmed by Forensic Science Ireland to contain cannabis .
The “Cash House” Mystery: A 22-Year-Old Working in a Petrol Station Buys a House Without a Mortgage
One of the most striking revelations from the bail hearing involved Ahsan Rasool’s purchase of a house at 4 Cloverwell, Edgeworthstown back in 2010 .
Garda Gerrity stated that Ahsan was the owner of the property, which he purchased at the age of 22 without a mortgage .
“He worked in a petrol station and was able to gather – by the age 22 – €85,000 to pay for a property. For me, Judge, as an investigator, that would warrant investigation. There’s no mortgage on the property.”
The barrister for the brothers, David Nugent BL, argued that the property market at the time offered opportunities for good value, saying: “Without denigrating the great county of Longford, do you understand the prices of property at that time? They’re not Dublin prices” .
However, Garda Gerrity countered that 2010 was the bottom of the market and that this was still a cause for suspicion .
The Flight Risk
The prosecution strongly objected to bail, citing the seriousness of the offences and the belief that the defendants would “flee the jurisdiction if granted bail” .
Gardaí pointed to the brothers’ ties to Pakistan, noting that the family has a house there and that Ahsan had travelled to Pakistan on five separate occasions in the past 13 months . He was also believed to potentially hold a separate Pakistani passport, which, along with his Irish passport, was seized .
The defence countered that the brothers had strong community ties, with Qasim having lived in Ireland for 23 years and having a five-day-old baby .
An Illegal Market That Was Openly Operating
A disturbing aspect of this case, and the wider problem it represents, is that these products were being sold openly in high street shops, despite having been illegal since July 2025 under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
This was not an isolated incident. In February 2026, Gardaí raided a Candy Cloud shop in Wexford and seized approximately €4,500 of suspected cannabis herb, using a battering ram to gain entry to a flat above the shop . A 37-year-old man was arrested .
Furthermore, in a separate case, a serial burglar named Mark Kelly was convicted of breaking into the Candy Cloud vape store in Longford and stealing €520 .
The Bail and What Happens Next
Judge Connellan granted bail to both brothers, but with significant conditions .
For Qasim Rasool:
For Ahsan Rasool:
Both were remanded in custody with consent to bail and are due to appear again before Longford District Court on July 14 .
Conclusion: A Warning to Those Who Would Exploit the Vulnerable
The Candy Cloud case is a stark reminder that what appears to be a legitimate business can be a front for serious criminality. The brothers are accused of not just selling illegal drugs, but of doing so openly and on a massive scale, putting the public at risk for financial gain.
This story may have flown under the radar of national media, but it represents a significant blow to organised crime in Ireland. It also serves as a warning to other businesses that might be tempted to engage in similar practices: the long arm of the law, in the form of Operation Tara, is watching.
Sources and Citations
- Longford Leader – €2M Longford seizure: Candy Cloud brothers in court on charges
- Longford Leader – Serial Longford burglar who stole items valued at over €1,000
- Irish Independent – Wexford Gardaí raid vape shop and seize suspected cannabis
- Leinster Leader – Cannabis jellies and vapes worth two million euro seized across several counties
- Crimeworld.com – Gardaí raid vape shop and seize €4,500 of suspected cannabis
- Revenue.ie – Joint operation results in drug seizure valued at approximately €2 million
- Daily Feed – Wexford Gardaí Raid Vape Shop, Seize Suspected Cannabis
- Garda.ie – €2 million in Controlled Drugs Seized – Gardaí and Revenue Joint Operation
Disclaimer
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available court records and press releases. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The information contained herein does not constitute legal advice and is provided for informational and journalistic purposes only. Watchdog Witness does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information presented and accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. This article may be updated as further information becomes available.
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