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‘Controlled explosion’ carried out as gardaí seize guns, ammo, cash and drugs

More than €11,310 in cash was seized as well as approximately €53,100 worth of suspected cocaine, €20,000 of suspected cannabis and €4,650 in suspected alprazolam and controlled medication tablets.

Today at 08:53

A controlled explosion was carried out in a field in Limerick yesterday as gardaí seized “suspected firearms and ammunition” in a crackdown on organised crime gangs.

The Defence Forces bomb squad was called in after a suspicious device was discovered by gardaí from the Limerick Crime Functional Area as they searched the field.

A controlled explosion was carried out on the device that was later found to have been a viable explosive.

A total of eight people, including five men and three women, were arrested as gardaí seized the weapons, as well as drugs and cash during a number of searches at locations in Limerick, Cork and Clare.

More than €11,310 in cash was seized as well as approximately €53,100 worth of suspected cocaine, €20,000 of suspected cannabis and €4,650 in suspected alprazolam and controlled medication tablets.

“Four suspected firearms and ammunition have also been seized,” gardaí added. “All evidence seized will be sent to Forensic Science Ireland for further examination.

“Five men were arrested during the course of this operation for offences under provisions of the Criminal Law Act, 1997, and detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2007 at Garda stations in the Limerick region.”

Gardaí added: “One man has been released from detention and charged with separate road traffic offences. He will appear before Limerick District Court this morning.

“The other four men remain in custody.

“Three women who were also arrested for offences contrary to the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 appeared before Limerick District Court yesterday.”