National: Cash, firearms and drugs seized in garda operation targeting organised crime

EIGHT people have been arrested during a major garda operation targeting organised crime in Limerick. 

Gardai made the arrests and the seized drugs, cash and firearms during a series of coordinated searches on Tuesday.

A number of searches were conducted by gardaí attached to Limerick Crime Functional Area at locations in Limerick, Cork and Clare.

"During the course of these searches cash in excess of €11,310 was seized as well as approximately €53,100 of suspected cocaine, €20,000 of suspected cannabis and €4,650 of suspected alprazolam and controlled medication tablets. Four suspected firearms and ammunition have also been seized," said a garda spokesperson.

All evidence seized will be sent to Forensic Science Ireland for further examination.

Gardai have also confirmed that during the search of a field in the Limerick area, the assistance of the Army EOD Unit was requested to make safe a suspicious device. 

"A controlled explosion was carried out and on examination this device was found to have been a viable explosive," said the spokesperson.

Five men were arrested during the course of this operation for offences under provisions of the Criminal Law Act, 1997, and detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2007 at garda stations in the Limerick region.

One man has been released from detention and charged with separate road traffic offences.  He will appear before Limerick District Court later this Wednesday.
 
Four men remain in custody at this time.
 
Three women were also arrested for offences contrary to the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994.  They appeared before Limerick District Court on Tuesday afternoon.