Cannabis catch: Gardaí smash another Asian-run drugs factory

GARDAÍ have smashed another Asian-run cannabis factory after a raid on a Dublin business premises.

More than a dozen such factories have been uncovered this year as part of Operation Nitrogen, orchestrated by the Garda National Drugs Unit.

Chinese and Vietnamese criminals operate the cannabis factories, which are sophisticated operations using high-tech, expensive, equipment.

Garda sources said it was “an increasing phenomenon”, which is also occurring north of the border.

In the latest operation, the national drugs unit, assisted by the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Tallaght drug unit, conducted a planned search of a premises on Blessington Road in Tallaght at 8.30am yesterday.

A Garda spokesman said 717 cannabis plants were seized, as well as about 15kgs of harvested product.

“Subject to analysis the seizure may have a street value of up to €€375,000,” he said.

Sources said it was a “sophisticated operation” involving “elaborate hydroponics” for cultivating plants on a large scale.

There were no arrests and the operation is ongoing.