Gardai have arrested a further seven people as part of its nationwide operation into drug dealing which so far today has led to the arrest of a total of 27 suspected heroin dealers.
According to a Garda spokeswoman the "Cleanstreets" operation in Arklow, Navan, Cavan-Monaghan and Dublin identified a number of people as having sold heroin to undercover gardaí.
Today's arrests were all made in Dublin.
Over July and August 95 people were identified as having sold heroin to undercover gardaí, she said. Over 100 gardaí were involved in this morning's arrests.
"Operation Cleanstreets", started by Assistant Commissioner Mr Jim McHugh in 1997, is operated by the Garda National Drugs Unit. At least three District Courts - the Bridewell, Kilmainham and Tallaght - are expected to process those charged in the greater Dublin area.
Since it was established, the operation has led to 600 people being charged.
A suspected dealer is arrested by uniformed gardai after a transaction has occurred. In some situations the Garda "buyer" has used a marked note to pay for the heroin, which is sometimes found after the arrest.
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