Gardai from the Drugs Unit at Kevin Street, Dublin raided a flat in that area last Sunday night after receiving intelligence that drugs were being held there. They discovered a significant quantity of rock heroin in a blue plastic bag in the girl's wardrobe.

She was taken into custody and questioned about the find but refused to divulge any information.

She was released without charge and a file will be forwarded to the DPP for consideration.

Following her release, gardai were told that the individual who owned the drugs consignment approached the girl and told her that if she did not come up with 50,000, she would be killed.

This man, in his 30s, works for the 26-year-old head of a Drimnagh-based gang that has been involved in a bloody feud that has so far claimed 11 lives.

The gang boss is currently in Spain but contacted his runner and made it clear that the 50,000 would have to be repaid one way or another.

Detectives offered the girl protection but she declined.

Officers are keeping regular watches on her family home to try to guarantee her safety.