PICTURES: Gardaí release rare behind the scenes pics after major sting operation

USE THE ARROWS ABOVE OR NEXT BUTTON BELOW TO SEE MORE PICTURES

Gardaí have released rare operational photographs after a sting operation on organised crime in Dublin.

Gardaí confirmed that five men were arrested on Monday morning as part of an ongoing investigation into the activities of an international organised crime group based in west Dublin. 

The five men, aged in their 30s, 40s and 60s, were arrested in the Dublin and Eastern Garda Regions for alleged offences contrary to the Criminal Justice Act, 2006. 

All of the men are currently being detained pursuant to the provisions of Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2007 across various Garda stations in Dublin and the eastern region.

In a follow-up statement, An Garda Síochana said: "There’s a murky underworld to serious and organised crime that is not always observed on the surface - the stories of the destruction it causes worldwide are not just confined to the series’ streamed online or only aired in podcasts.

"They involve real life. Real people. Real families. Real communities.

"We work together day-and-night behind the scenes to secure arrests like todays."

READ NEXT: Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary gets surprise extra 'charge' on bill at Irish restaurant

The Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau led the operation on Monday morning and were supported by the Regional Armed Support Unit, the Emergency Response Unit, the Dublin Crime Response Team and the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation.