Gardaí have discovered 60 cannabis grow houses in Ireland in the past ten months, with over €6m worth of the drug seized.
Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan said organised crime gangs have moved into this area of drug production and distribution following the closure of head shops and because it was a low maintenance, high return activity.
At the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors conference last night, the Commissioner also said that 40 people were currently before the courts.
Operation Nitrogen was set up by the Garda National Drugs Unit ten months ago to investigate the increase in cannabis being produced and sold in Ireland.
The Commissioner insisted gardaí had made significant inroads into this activity.
On an unrelated matter, the Commissioner said it was desirable that people would vacate official accommodation on their retirement.
In Ballyferriter, a retired Sergeant is continuing to occupy the station house and has even refurbished the premises.
