LIVE: Two arrested as gardai seize 3D printed firearms and ammunition during searches

Two people are being questioned by gardai following the seizure of a large quantity of contraband, including 3D printed firearms, during searches of a number of homes in Clare and Tipperary.

During an operation this Friday, gardai say members of the Shannon Detective Unit, the Divisional Drugs Units, the Armed Support Unit and the Regional Dog Unit carried out searches at four domestic residences in County Clare.

During the searches, two 3D printed firearms were seized along with a quantity of ammunition.

"In addition, cocaine to the value of €18,400 and cannabis to the value of €200, a large volume of counterfeit clothing and a quantity of cash was seized," said a spokesperson.

Following the seizures, a woman, aged in her 40s, and a man, aged in his 30s, were arrested and conveyed to garda stations in County Clare.

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They are currently being detained under the provisions of Section 30 of the Offenses Against the State Act 1939 and Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996 respectively.

Investigating gardai say all of the firearms seized will be subject to further ballistic testing and forensic analysis while the drugs will be forwarded to Forensic Science Ireland for analysis.

Separately, gardaí say a number of similar seizures were made during searches in County Tipperary earlier this week.

"On Tuesday, June 17 gardaí attached to the Tipperary Drugs Unit searched a domestic residence in South Tipperary. Two 3D printed firearms along with ammunition were seized. In addition, cocaine to the value of €2,500 and cannabis to the value of €1,000 was seized," said a spokesperson.

Gardai say this week's searches are a part of ongoing operations targeting the sale and supply of drugs in the region.