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Gardaí have seized about €128,000 worth of drugs and drug-making equipment and arrested seven people in raids on a number of houses in the Wexford area.
A Garda spokesman said the searches this morning were carried out as part of the ongoing investigation known as 'Operation Serpentine' into the cultivation, distribution, sale and supply of controlled substances in the south east region.
Gardaí based in Wexford assisted by the Regional Support Unit, gardaí from Carlow/Kilkenny, Waterford and Tipperary divisions were involved, along with Customs and Excise officials based in Waterford.
A man and a woman were arrested at a house in Dunmaine, Co Wexford and 28g (1oz) of cocaine (subject to analysis) was seized, the Garda spokesman said.
A man was arrested at a house at Ballywilliam, New Ross and a number of items relating to drug cultivation were seized.
At a house at Longraigue, Foulksmills, Co Wexford, two men were held and 28g (1oz) of cannabis resin (subject to analysis), as well as a number of items relating to drug cultivation were seized.
Gardaí said they uncovered a cannabis grow-house at a premises in Killesk, Campile. Some €18,000 worth of harvested cannabis herb was seized.
A man was arrested at a house on Grange Road, New Ross and 1kg of cannabis herb with a value of about €20,000 was seized, along with 3.5kg of speed (subject to analysis) with a value of about €50,000.
At a house in Ramsgrange, Co Wexford, about €40,000 worth of harvested cannabis herb was seized and a grow-house was discovered.
Gardaí said six men and one woman were arrested, ranging in age from mid-20s to early 60s.
They are being detained under the provisions of section 2 of the Criminal Justice( Drug Trafficking) Act 1996 as amended.
They are being held at Tramore, New Ross and Thomastown Garda stations.
The Garda spokesman said today’s operation was part of ‘Operation Nitrogen’ establised to combat the cultivation, supply, sale and distribution of controlled substances nationally.