Five men have been arrested today as part of major operations targeting organised crime in Ireland.
Late last night, two men were arrested in County Meath as part of an international operation that uncovered drugs worth an estimated €7m in Ashbourne, County Meath.
The cannabis herb and cocaine were discovered in two storage units near the town.
Gardai have been arriving all morning here in Ashbourne where cocaine and cannabis worth c.€5m were seized yesterday. 2 men arrested. Thought to be #Kinahan related pic.twitter.com/VBdUwd8vYU
— Juliette Gash (@JulietteGash) November 16, 2017
This afternoon meanwhile, garda 'Operation Thistle' saw three further arrests after officers seized drugs and cash in a number of searches in Dublin.
During a search at Berry’s Close, Inchicore a number of packages were discovered containing 3.5kg of a “powder-like substance” believed to be cocaine and heroin. A car was also seized for technical examination.
Gardaí said the estimated street value of the drugs was €350,000.
A search at a house at Kilmainham Bank meanwhile uncovered heroin with a street value of €25,000 alongside €6,000 in cash.
Three imitation firearms were also seized.
A man in his 50s was arrested and is being detained at Kilmainham Garda Station.
Another search at Basin Street in Kilmainham uncovered heroin with a street value of €1,000.
A man in his 40s was arrested and is also being detained at Kilmainham.
A third man, aged in his 40s, was arrested based on outstanding warrants at nearby McCarthy Terrace. He was brought to court and has since been remanded in custody.
Some of the haul seized in Ashbourne by Gardai investigating #Kinehan gang pic.twitter.com/Sv5IXEAW9K
— Juliette Gash (@JulietteGash) November 16, 2017
It is understood further arrests were made in the Netherlands as part of the investigation leading to the €7m haul in Ashbourne.
Assistant Commissioner John O’Driscoll remains in The Netherlands this evening. He said the Meath operation was coordinated with a number of international law enforcement authorities.
