Five people were arrested today after gardaí discovered four industrial-style cannabis grow houses in counties Mayo, Wexford, Kildare and Louth.
As part of Operation Nitrogen targeting cannabis growing, gardaí searched industrial units in Swinford, Ardee, Newbridge and Tramore, and also locations in Buncrana, Co Donegal, and Gardiner Street, Clondalkin and Blanchardstown in Dublin.
Cannabis plants with an estimated street value of up to €5 million were found in Ardee (€1.2 million), Swinford (€1.4 million), Tramore (€ 1.6 million) and Newbridge (€800,000).
A storage depot for cultivation equipment was found in Blanchardstown.
Two men in Ballina, two in Tramore and another in Drogheda were arrested and are being held under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996.