Over €750,000 cannabis seized and two men (40s) arrested after growhouse discovered in Drogheda

Ellen O'Donoghue

More than €750,000 of cannabis plants were seized by gardaí, and two men (40s) were arrested after a search operation in Drogheda, Co Louth, on Tuesday.

The search was conducted by gardaí attached to the Dublin Crime Response Team as part of an ongoing operation targeting the sale and supply of drugs.

The gardaí found a "large-scale cannabis cultivation factory" during the search, and cannabis plants with an estimated street value of more than €750,000 were seized.

Two men in their 40s were arrested at the scene and are currently detained at garda stations in the north east of the country under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996.

The drugs have been sent to Forensic Science Ireland for analysis, a garda statement said, and investigations are ongoing.

Assistant Commissioner Cliona Richardson said that the discovery and dismantling of the "sophisticated cannabis cultivation operation will affect the ability of those involved to cause harm in our communities".

"The investigation – led by the Dublin Crime Response Team under Operation Tara and assisted by local Gardaí in Drogheda – demonstrates An Garda Síochána’s commitment to collaboratively target drug trafficking networks and related criminal activity occurring in and impacting not only Dublin but other Regions throughout the country.”