An Irishman has been charged with drugs and firearms offences in the UK.

52-year-old Thomas Kavanagh, with an address at Sutton Road, Mile Oak in Tamworth, was arrested in January.

He was arrested on foot of a long-running investigation involving Gardaí and the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA).

He is accused of conspiring to import drugs and firearms into the UK between June 2015 and October 2017.

He also faces money laundering charges.

The NCA said two other Irishmen have already been charged in connection with the investigation.

Assistant Commissioner John O’Driscoll, head of Garda Special Crime Operations said the partnership with the NCA is “assisting in ensuring that communities in the UK and Ireland are better protected from organised crime.”

“The charging of a particular suspect by the UK law enforcement authorities today represents a significant development arising from cooperation which has been ongoing for a number of years,” he said.

NCA Branch Operations Manager Tudor Thomas said forces on both sides of the water are “determined to do all we can to tackle organised criminality impacting upon both our countries.”

“NCA officers also today executed a warrant at Kavanagh’s property on Sutton Road as part of a parallel financial investigation.

“Any assets identified will be seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act”

Mr Kavanagh is due at Ipswich Magistrates Court on Thursday 19 March.