GARDAÍ SAY it may be some time before they know the full value of a major cannabis factory discovered close to Malin town in Co Donegal, Ireland’s most northerly town.
An intelligence-led Garda operation brought officers to the factory at Drumaville, approximately 3km outside the town.
Officers uncovered a warehouse with an estimated €1 million worth of cannabis plants at various stages of growth. The plants are believed to have been stored in an old kitchen assembly factory.
Elaborate growing equipment was also discovered.
Some of the plants had already been harvested and were ready to be sold.
The Garda raid, involving more than a dozen officers, took place just before 10am yesterday.
Two foreign nationals were arrested as part of the operation, and were yesterday being interviewed at Buncrana Garda station.
The investigation, which it is believed will last a number of days, is being led by Supt Kevin English.
Supt English confirmed the discovery of the cannabis factory was as a result of an “intelligence-led” operation.
“We are dealing with a warehouse, so you can imagine the scale of what is involved.
“The cannabis plants are at various stages of development from seed to young plant and some have been harvested and would be ready for the market.
“We have arrested two non-nationals at the scene and they are being detained in Buncrana and will remain so in relation to the discovery.”