Two separate searches of homes in Co. Kilkenny and Co. Galway on Monday resulted in the seizure of cannabis valued at more than €1 million, gardaí said.
During the search of a “sophisticated growhouse” inside a property in Kilcolgan, Co. Galway, garda officials discovered suspected cannabis plants valued at over €950,000.
A woman in her 30s and two men in their 40s were among the three people who were arrested there. In accordance with the terms of Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996, they remain to be detained at the North Western HQ.
The search, part of Operation Tara, was carried out by gardaí connected to Galway Garda station and the Galway Divisional Drugs Unit shortly after 3:30pm on Monday.
Speaking on Monday about this seizure, Chief Superintendent Gerard Roche in Galway said: “This is a significant blow to those trafficking illegal drugs in the Galway Garda Division and we will continue to tackle organised crime and drug dealers in County Galway”.
Meanwhile, in Co Kilkenny, a man in his 20s was arrested and charged after a seizure of approximately 7.2 kilograms of cannabis. The seizure had a street value of €114,800, gardaí said.
The man is allegedly connected to an organised crime gang that operates in the country’s south-east, according to the officers. He had a Tuesday morning court appearance scheduled in Kilkenny.
In a coordinated operation, customs, the Garda National Drugs & Organized Crime Bureau, and the Kilkenny District Detective Unit/Drugs Unit conducted the search.