A man has been arrested after more than €8 million worth of suspected cocaine was seized in Co Laois, in an operation targeting an organised crime gang based in west Dublin.
The discovery was made during a planned search of a house and lands in the south of the county.
Gardaí from the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau carried out searches in Co Laois over the last number of days, as part of this operation.
During the course of their searches yesterday, they found 116kg of suspected cocaine hidden in the woods at Kilnaseer, close to Ballacolla, which is valued at over €8 million.
Detectives also recovered a number of electronic devices, including phones, which will now be examined.
A man in his 30s was arrested and is being questioned at a garda station in Laois under anti-gang legislation.
Speaking following the operation, head of the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau Detective Chief Superintendent Séamus Boland said gardaí will continue to focus their resources on those who "collaborate with and facilitate organised crime".
He said officers are determined to continue dismantling drug trafficking routes into Ireland.
