Gardaí investigating the discovery of a huge drugs factory in Co Donegal have warned landlords to know what their premises are being used for.
A third man was arrested yesterday in connection with the find of more than €1 million worth of cannabis in the factory outside Malin town.
The three men, all believed to be Chinese nationals, were last night being quizzed at Buncrana Garda station. The men, who were living in primitive conditions at the warehouse, have very little English and have no travel documents.
Garda Supt Kevin English, who is leading the investigation, warned landlords to be responsible when leasing properties. “Where people have commercial premises for rent, we would ask them to have inspection clauses so that they know what their premises are being used for.”
Separately Galway city Chief Supt Michael O’Sullivan said that there had been a significant increase in the number of growhouses.
“We believe that market forces are dictating this, that criminal gangs are setting up growhouses rather than importing drugs from abroad,” he said. Gardaí in Galway seized €615,000 worth of cannabis in the city in the first eight months of this year and there werefurther large seizures last month after the discovery of growhouses at a number of locations in the city.
Gardaí in Galway made 48 arrests in relation to the sale and supply of drugs in Galway city since January, with a further 162 incidents of possession.