Three men arrested after gardaí unearth Limerick drug factory

Three men have been arrested after gardaí uncovered a drugs factory and seized some €200,000 worth of ecstasy and cannabis at two locations in Limerick.

The two linked operations happened in the Lisnagry and Castletroy areas.

An ecstasy manufacturing plant was discovered at a remote house in Annagh, Lisnagry, at around 7pm on Saturday during a planned search operation.

Gardaí from Bruff, assisted by the divisional drugs unit, seized ecstasy tablets valued at €150,000 and other items used in the manufacture of the drugs including a drugs press.

Two men, both in their early 20s and believed to be from the mid-Leinster area, were arrested at the scene.

They had being renting the house at the time.

In a follow-up operation, a house in Caislean na hAbhainn in Castletroy was raided and €50,000 worth of cannabis herb was seized. A local man in his 20s was arrested.

All three men were being held yesterday at Henry Street Garda Station under Drugs Trafficking legislation and can be held for up to seven days without charge. The drugs have been sent away for analysis.

The arrests are the latest in an ongoing Garda operation into the illegal sale and supply of controlled drugs in the Limerick area.