THE NUMBER OF people arrested in a major crackdown on organised crime has increased to 113 in total this afternoon.
Gardaí have been carrying out the arrests as part of Operation Wireless II targeting criminal gangs across the country. The arrestees are being held in stations across 13 counties.
The suspects have been arrested in connection with drug trafficking, possession of firearms, burglary, robbery, handling stolen peroperty and other related offences, and are being held for various detention periods.
Around 4,200 cannabis plants were seized from industrial-style growhouses as part of the searches carried out by Gardaí, with preliminary reports indicating that the plants have an estimated street value of around €3.5 million.
Gardaí say the operation is targeting the criminal activity and organised criminal actions of a number of selected targets nationwide.
Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan told an Oireachtas committee today that there are 25 organised criminal gangs operating in the State.
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