Massive cannabis network uncovered in Limerick
Cannabis with a street value of approximately €500,000 was found ready for distribution and an unknown quantity ready for harvesting in four houses equipped with expensive irrigation and heating systems.
Two Polish males, aged 39, and 36, were under arrest last night in Newcastle West under drugs trafficking legislation.
An operation under Supt Tom O’Connor, Newcastle West and Det Insp Eamon O’Neill, Henry St Limerick saw over 50 gardaí swoop on the four addresses at around 6pm. The houses are located in Newcastle West, Mountcollins and Castletown Conyers. Two of the houses are in the Arra View and Market Court estates in Newcastle West. The raids followed a month-long surveillance operation.
All the houses had blacked out windows and the interiors were converted into what one source described as “well laid out, planned cannabis gardens”.
The source said: “This was a big one. Each house had specially installed lighting and irrigation systems to promote the growing of the cannabis. This was a very serious set up, a very big enterprise This needed a lot of expertise to put in place.”
Gardaí suspect that drugs operation was set up in the past 18 months and was supplying local gangs in Limerick and Cork.
