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Drugs worth €2.1m seized in Kildare and Westmeath

During the initial search, 29kgs of suspected cocaine with an estimated value of €2m and around €112,000 in cash were discovered
During the initial search, 29kgs of suspected cocaine with an estimated value of €2m and around €112,000 in cash were discovered

Six people have been arrested after drugs worth over €2.1 million were seized in Kildare and Westmeath.

During the initial search, 29kgs of suspected cocaine with an estimated value of €2m and around €112,000 in cash were discovered.

Additional searches as part of Operation Tara uncovered a pill manufacturing facility containing two pill-making machines, cannabis with an estimated value of €125,000 and other drug paraphernalia.

A cannabis cultivation facility was also discovered by gardaí.

Two men have since been charged and are due to appear in court tomorrow.

Another man and a woman were arrested but have since been released without charge and files have been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Two other men are currently in garda custody.

Following the operations, Assistant Commissioner Justin Kelly said: "I commend the detectives involved in this successful operation to disrupt an organised criminal group exploiting our communities.

"This work shows our absolute determination to target the activities of key individuals involved in the production and distribution of controlled drugs.

"Illicit pill manufacturing is undertaken in dangerous clandestine facilities with no control measures whatsoever in place, adding to the risk to end users."