LAST UPDATE | 16 Feb

TWO MEN ARE in custody after gardaí seized €32.8 million worth of drugs discovered in a search at Cork Port this morning.

Sources said the shipment may include crystal meth or drugs with similar stimulant effects, as well as quantities of other drugs however a forensic examination will determine the exact drug.

The searches were centred around towns in Kerry and areas of County Cork with a substantial amount of drugs seized in Cork Port.

It is understood the garda operation is focused on the importation of drugs into the State. Searches began early this morning.

A statement said that a “substantial drugs seizure” was made in Port of Cork when gardaí carried out searches with another State agency. 

The garda statement said that “546kg of a synthetic drug, with an estimated value of €32.8 million”.

“Garda personnel from the Kerry Divisional Drugs Unit, Cork and a number of Garda units were involved in the operation. Follow up searches were conducted in Kerry and Cork which resulted in the arrests of two men and the seizure of two firearms.

“The men, both aged in their 40s are currently detained at Garda Stations in the Southern Region under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007,” a statement said.