Gardaí say 98 people are now being questioned as part of a major crackdown on organised crime.

They have all been detained over the past 24 hours as the second phase of "Operation Wireless" continues.

Gardaí revealed last night that €3.5 million worth of cannabis had been seized in more than 230 searches across the country.

Various charges

The people being questioned are being held at a number of different stations on suspicion of a range of offences.

These include robbery, firearms possession and others relating to drugs.

Gardai say a substantial quantity of cannabis plants of approximately 4,200 have been seized at the various cannabis growhouses.

The premises searched were in Rathcormack, Cork, Clonroache, Wexford, Laytown and Dublin.