The competition watchdog and Gardaí have carried out searches on the premises of businesses active in the home alarm industry.
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) said the operation on Monday was part of an "ongoing criminal investigation into potential breaches of competition law".
Officers from the CCPC were supported by colleagues from the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau and An Garda Síochána.
The CCPC, which is the statutory body responsible for the enforcement of competition law, said it is investigating suspected breaches.
"Competition law forbids anti-competitive agreements between two or more independent firms, such as agreements to fix prices, share markets, or restrict output," it said in a statement.
It said these agreements are often referred to as 'cartel agreements'.
"Competition law also forbids firms which hold a dominant position from engaging in abusive practices, such as predatory pricing or refusal to supply," it said.
"It is the CCPC’s role to enforce Irish and European Union competition law by investigating suspected breaches of these prohibitions," it added.
The CCPC has the power to carry out unannounced searches of business premises and private homes, on foot of a search warrant issued by the District Court.
It said the aim of a search is to obtain information and evidence relating to an investigation being carried out by the CCPC.
The watchdog has said the investigation is ongoing.
