Cannabis-smuggling bid intercepted in Greece

A major international police sting has smashed an attempt to smuggle a €2.3m haul of cannabis into Ireland.

Both the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and the Garda were involved in the operation, which led to the seizure of 441lb (200kg) of the drug in Greece.

A number of searches have been carried out on both sides of the border as part of the ongoing investigation.

Justice Minister Alan Shatter and Stormont Justice Minister David Forde said the recovery was made possible by intelligence-sharing and North-South co-operation.

It is understood a lorry carrying 100 kilos of herbal cannabis was intercepted in Greece, which led investigators to a warehouse in Athens where another 100-kilo haul was discovered.

The driver of the lorry, a 36-year-old man from the North, was arrested along with two other men, both Greek nationals.

A fourth man, aged 34, has been arrested in the North.

Searches have also been carried out in Finglas, Dublin, as well as Allenwood, Co Kildare, after the seizure last night.