Gardai have seized up to 2 million euro worth of drugs in separate seizures in the past week in Dublin, Louth and Meath.

Four separate criminal groups were targeted in the raids – which also saw significant amounts of cash seized.

A number of people have appeared in court in connection with the operation.

Detective Superintendent Tony Howard from the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau says a lot of drugs were taken off the streets:

Earlier two people in their 20s were arrested after drugs, money, jewellery and a car were seized by Gardai in Dublin as part of Operation Thistle.

Heroin worth around €3,000 was found along with a substantial sum of money.

€30,000 worth of jewellery, a watch worth €15,000 and an Audi A3 were also seized.

Drugs worth half a million euro have been seized in Bellewstown in Co Meath.

Heroin, ecstasy tablets, cannabis resin and cannabis herb were found when a premises was searched yesterday.

€70,000 in cash was also seized along with mixing agents and other paraphernalia.

Two men aged 26 and 33 were arrested and are being questioned at Kells Garda Station.