Full scale of Operation Shovel emerging

The full scale of an international police operation which resulted in the arrests of 34 people in five different countries is emerging this morning.

Detectives are now piecing together the extent of the money-laundering web and drug trafficking empire uncovered as part of the massive raids codenamed 'Shovel'.

A convicted Irish drug dealer is among those being questioned by Spanish authorities.

It is believed police are now putting together a case to seize a worldwide portfolio of assets estimated at around €200m.