Two Chinese men are due to appear in court this morning in relation to the seizure of over €2 million worth of cannabis plants.
The seizures were made as part of Operation Nitrogen, during planned raids in Kerry, Cavan and Roscommon yesterday.
The first man (50) is due to appear before Cavan District Court this morning, charged in relation to the seizure at Virginia, Co. Cavan.
While a second man (39) will appear before Tuam District Court, charged in relation to the seizure at Oldtown in Co. Roscommon.
Meanwhile, a third man in his 20s is still being questioned by gardaí at Tralee garda station in Co. Kerry and a fourth man - who is also in his 20s - is being treated at Tralee General Hospital. Gardaí want to speak to him as soon as he is well enough to be questioned.
The arrests came yesterday as part of a Garda National Drugs Unit operation targeting of the cultivation of cannabis. The raids were carried out on houses and adjoining sheds in Cavan and Roscommon, and on an industrial estate unit in Tralee. Local gardaí assisted in the operation, with all of the locations being searched simultaneously.
Gardaí from the National Drugs Unit worked with local officers to raid the industrial estate unit in Tralee
Tralee find
At the industrial estate in Kerry, gardaí discovered a large growhouse and arrested two Vietnamese men. Approximately 1,800 cannabis plants were recovered - they are understood to be worth €1.3 million. One of the men was injured when he jumped from the roof of the building in an attempt to escape - that man is currently being treated in hospital.
Gardaí recovered €240,000 of cannabis at the house in Oldtown, Roscommon
Roscommon raid
Gardaí from the Roscommon/Longford Drug Unit worked with the Garda National Drugs Unit to search a house at Oldtown in Co. Roscommon.
They found a home that had been converted to a growhouse, and arrested one Chinese man in his late 20s. Drugs seized at that location are thought to be worth approximately €240,000.
Cavan shed search
Meanwhile, 700 cannabis plants thought to be worth €560,000 were discovered at a house and sheds near Virginia, Co. Cavan.
A Chinese man in his 50s was arrested.
All of the men who are under arrest are being held under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act.
