Meanwhile, gardaí are investigating reports that scrap metal yard owners are being threatened by those responsible.

Official figures show that domestic burglaries have been cut in half over the last four years - a trend gardaí are attributing to a dedicated policing operation.

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has tasked an assistant commissioner to coordinate investigations into reports that DNA samples of suspected criminals have gone missing.

A major drug trafficking outfit recently hit by the Criminal Assets Bureau is suspected of being behind the importation of a massive haul of cocaine intercepted by Garda gang units.