Gardaí have charged two women in their 40s in connection with an operation targeting organised criminal gangs operating nationally and in the South East.

During searches in Waterford and Wexford, officers recovered property - believed to be stolen - with an estimated value of €75,000.

More than 80 gardaí took part in nine co-ordinated searches with the assistance of the Criminal Assets Bureau, Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, Stolen Motor Vehicle Investigation Unit and the Garda Air Support.

The women - aged 44 and 46 years - who were charged have now been released from Garda custody on bail.

They are due to appear before Donegal District Court tomorrow morning.