PICTURE: Gardai release first photo of massive €14 million drugs haul
Almost 200kg of cocaine seized along with eight vehicles and a variety of drugs paraphernalia
Gardai have released a photograph of drugs worth more than €14 million which were seized during a major operation earlier this week.
Gardaí from the Dublin Crime Response Team say investigations are ongoing following the seizure of the drugs in Mountmellick, County Laois and at a number of other locations on Tuesday.
"Approximately 182kg of cocaine and 4kg of cannabis herb were seized. In a follow-up search in west Dublin, approximately 17kg of cocaine were seized along with €25,000 in cash. The total estimated value of the drugs seized is more than €14 million," confirmed a spokesperson.
Gardai say eight vehicles were also seized during the operation along with a variety of drugs paraphernalia. The drugs seized are now subject to analysis by Forensic Science Ireland.
Three men who were arrested on Tuesday remain in custody under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996, at Garda stations in the Eastern Region.
Subject to court orders, the men who are in currently in garda custody can be detained for up to a week without charge.
Gardai say investigations are ongoing.