BREAKING: Firearms and drugs seized following searches in counties including Kilkenny

Millions of euros worth of illegal drugs and multiple firearms have been seized after gardaí intercepted two vehicles in the Finglas area of Dublin and conducted planned searches of addresses in Kilkenny, Waterford, Tallaght and Ashbourne.

The searches are part of ongoing investigations targeting organised crime activity under Operation Tara.

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During the course of this multi-county operation, three Glock handguns, a replica handgun, 28.5 kilograms of cocaine (worth approximately €2 million) and 1 kilo of cannabis herb (worth approximately €20,000) were recovered.

Gardaí also recovered a hydraulic drugs press, a quantity of mixing agent, drug-mixing paraphernalia, €18,000 in cash and several communications devices.

All of the seized drugs will be sent to Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) for analysis.  

Four males (aged 55, 32, 27 and 22) were arrested in relation to drug trafficking and were detained, pursuant to the provisions of Section 2 of Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996, at Garda stations in Dublin and Meath. 

Following the operation, the senior officer in charge of organised crime investigations, Assistant Commissioner Justin Kelly said that the operation 'conducted by the Garda National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau was supported by colleagues from Dublin, Waterford, Meath and Kilkenny and demonstrates the inextricable link between illegal firearms and the drugs trade'.

"We know that these type of deadly weapons are used by organised criminal groups to intimidate, maim and kill," he added.

"Suppressing access to illegal firearms is an absolute priority for An Garda Síochána. I wish to compliment the officers who continue to put themselves in harm’s way, in operations such as this, to protect our communities." 

Investigations are ongoing.