Gardaí uncover biggest ever cannabis plantation

GARDAÍ were last night quizzing the suspected owner of what is believed to be one of the biggest cannabis plantations discovered in Ireland.

Officers in Donegal came across the 220 cannabis plants at a rural location close to the border with Northern Ireland.

Three men were arrested in the garda raid at around midday on Tuesday and detained under the Drug Trafficking Act.

Two of the men, aged 17 and 41, were released before midnight.

Gardaí are preparing a file to send to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Detectives continued to detain a 52-year-old man.

The plantation was discovered at a house, located near the village of St Johnston, just six miles from Derry city.

The plants were located in two sheds which were adapted with light and heating equipment to grow the plants in a controlled environment.

Superintendent Jim Gallagher of Letterkenny Garda Station described it as a commercial operation.

It is believed the drugs were being grown for the Derry market.