Three men are being questioned after explosives and detonators were discovered in a car in Co Meath last night.
It is believed the explosives may have been destined for an organised criminal gang in Dublin.
It is understood that around 2.5kg of semtex and a number of detonators were found by gardaí when they stopped a car at a checkpoint near Kells just before midnight.
The three men in the car were arrested and are being questioned in Navan and Kells garda stations.
It is understood they are aged 18, 24 and 32.
They can be held for up to 72 hours.
Meanwhile, detectives and the crime unit from Navan recovered a number of weapons today as part of a separate operation.
A shotgun and a rifle along with some stolen property were recovered during a search in the Kentstown area.
