Major drugs haul tops €5.2m

Gardaí have made what is thought to be the second largest haul of heroin in an operation targeting an Irish-organised crime gang with international connections.

Detectives from Clondalkin, west Dublin, uncovered 32.5kg of what they suspect is heroin in the second day of searches, also confiscating five firearms, including three machine guns, as well as a further 4kg of drugs.

The heroin seizure has a street value of €4.9m and is believed to be the second largest heroin haul since 54kg of heroin was discovered in Clondalkin in October 2006.