€6.6m drug find in Meath

DRUGS worth €6.6 million were uncovered in Co Meath last night in a joint garda-customs operation.

One of the biggest hauls of cannabis resin made in recent times, over one tonne, was discovered at an industrial premises in Dunboyne, Co. Meath.

A man in his 30s was arrested in connection with the find and last night he was being held at Blanchardstown Garda Station.

While the drugs will have to undergo forensic analysis as part of the major garda investigation, sources said the seizure was worth at least €6.6 million.

The discovery of the drugs was made as apart of an intensive clampdown on organised crime by revenue, customs and gardaí.

Earlier this month over €2.5m worth of cannabis was seized from two separate criminal gangs in Dublin.

Cannabis worth €2m was recovered at a business premises in Greenogue Industrial Estate in Rathcoole and in a separate operation, €400,000 of the drug was seized at Airside Business Park in Swords. Meath has been the focal point of much activity by the garda national drugs unit. Last month, gardaí seized cannabis worth €400,000 in Navan. Also last month, 10kgs of the drug worth €70,000 were found in a search of a car in Tallaght.