GARDAÍ HAVE SEIZED drugs worth millions of euro, guns and ammunition as part of a major operation into drug-dealing in Dublin and Meath.

Investigating officers say they have “disrupted and dismantled a major gang” which operated drug trafficking in Ireland.

Drugs worth an estimated €5 million were discovered during the raids across the two counties.

A total of nine men have been arrested and are being held at garda stations across the north and west sides of Dublin.

Gardaí searched a large number of homes, premises and vehicles as part of the sting operation, which had been planned for some time and which took place over two days.

Among the items seized were:

• 178 kgs of cannabis herb (estimated street value €3.56 million)
• 261 kgs of cannabis resin (estimated street value €1.57 million)
• 76,000 ecstasy tables (estimated street value €760,000)
• 6 firearms – five handguns and one machine gun
• Ammunition

“This seizure shows how organised crime gangs from Ireland and abroad are using the profits from the sale of drugs such as cannabis to fund the importation of further drugs and firearms,” said Detective Chief Superintendent John McMahon of the Garda National Drugs Unit.

“An Garda Síochána is determined to protect communities from the potentially devastating impact of these drugs and firearms”.

Detective Chief Superintendent McMahon said the operation was highly targeted, using analytical and intelligence methods.

“It had been in the planning for some time and involved a large number of personnel and man-hours,” he said.

A 45-year-old man arrested in connection with the investigation will appear in court in Dublin on Saturday morning.

The other eight men are still being questioned.